Could snow finally coat the Tri-Cities? Storm system to bring rain, then maybe snow

Weather is starting to warm some in the Tri-Cities, with stagnant and cold air about to be disrupted by a storm system.

That could mean snow next week — the first week of February — but it’s still early to be sure that the chance of precipitation will be significant at the same time temperatures are below freezing.

Wednesday night the low temperature is forecast at 20 degrees after three nights in the Tri-Cities with lows dipping to 14. The Tri-Cities has had nine nights with lows in the teens since Jan. 18.

All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Richland plans to be open as a warming shelter Wednesday through Friday nights, from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following mornings. The church is at 1322 Kimball Street and those seeking shelter should go behind the church to the Parish Hall door.

Thursday and Friday nights should be above freezing with a chance of rain in the Tri-Cities, and rain is likely during the day Friday.

Starting Sunday the snow level is forecast to drop to 700 feet, but the chance of precipitation is slight.

Precipitation is more likely Monday through Wednesday. Daytime highs should be near or slightly above freezing Tuesday and Wednesday, with overnight lows in the 20s.

The conditions in the early forecast for those days could be right for snow.

The lowest elevation at which snow could fall is 400 feet on Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Much of the Tri-Cities is just above 400 feet, rising to about 1,000 feet just south of Kennewick near the Interstate 82 and Highway 395 interchange.

The weather service has issued a storm watch for possible heavy snow in the East Cascade Mountains of Washington on Thursday night through Saturday afternoon.

The forecast for the top of Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90 calls for 3 to 7 inches of snow Thursday night; 2 to 4 inches of snow Friday, with heavy rain in the afternoon; 3 to 7 inches of snow Friday night and 3 to 5 inches of snow Saturday and again Saturday night.

This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 5:34 PM.