Tri-Cities temperatures to drop into single digits. Chance of snow increases to 60%

Arctic air has arrived in Eastern Washington, dropping temperatures well below normal for February in the Tri-Cities.

Tuesday night is forecast to be the coldest of the winter so far and might end up being the coldest of the winter as temperatures are expected to drop to 9 degrees.

Wednesday night the temperature is forecast at 10 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The coldest nights of the winter so far have been Jan. 29 and 30, with lows of 13, according to the weather service. Monday night the low was 14.

Normal lows for mid February in the Tri-Cities are about 28 degrees.

Highs were forecast to drop from the 30s into the 20s starting Tuesday in the Tri-Cities, with highs of 28 to 29 forecast through Thursday.

Normal highs for mid February in the Tri-Cities are about 48.

On Thursday a 30% chance of snow is forecast, increasing to 60% from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Less than a half inch of snow is expected during the day and less than 1 inch of new snow from evening through the night.

Snow also is possible Friday, with less than half an inch of new accumulation forecast.

Warmer weather is forecast to start Thursday night, with lows warming more than 10 degrees to 23. The high Friday could be just above freezing.

By Saturday the high could reach 35 and a 20% to 30% chance of precipitation — either rain or snow — is forecast. Rain and snow are likely Sunday, with the temperature warming to 38.

By Monday, Washington’s Birthday, the high should be back in the 40s and any precipitation will fall as rain, according to the weather service.

Cold weather help

All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Richland will open its nighttime warming shelter at 5 p.m. daily through Thursday this week, closing the shelter the following mornings at 9 a.m.

The church is at 1322 Kimball Street and those seeking shelter should go behind the church to the Parish Hall door.

Donations are being sought for the church. Money donated online will be used only for shelter expenses such as security and groceries.

The shelter also needs new underwear and warm clothing such as sweatshirts and sweatpants in all sizes for men and women.

Those seeking shelter in the daytime are welcome at Mid-Columbia Libraries in Pasco, Kennewick, West Richland, Benton City, Connell, Kahlotus and Basin City and the Richland Public Library.

Other locations include the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission’s men’s and women’s shelters in Pasco; the Pasco First Avenue Center at 505 N. First Ave.; Columbia Center mall in Kennewick; the Richland Community Center; and Becky’s Coffee Corner and Renz Farmers Insurance Agency, both in Prosser.

Call 211 for hours and locations.

The Department of Health is asking that people check on elderly relatives and neighbors and anyone with limited mobility.

Keep pipes from freezing

As the temperature drops to the single digits, care may be needed to prevent pipes from freezing.

The Red Cross recommends becoming familiar with where your water valves are and how to shut them off in case of a water pipe break.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. With the doors open, however, be sure harmful cleaners or household chemicals stored there are out of the reach of children and pets.

Consider insulating water supply lines in unheated areas, such as under kitchen and bathroom cabinets or in the garage.

If you will be away during cold weather don’t set the temperature any lower than 55 degrees.