Severe storm sweeps across the nation. What to expect in Tri-Cities

Much of the nation is bracing for a severe winter storm with as much as 18 inches of snow blanketing areas of multiple states. Other areas are bracing for ice storms expected to cause lengthy power outages.

But not the Tri-Cities.

Here the weather is what much of the nation is likely wishing for, as January could end without enough snowfall to coat the Tri-Cities ground yet this winter.

Some light snow appeared to be falling briefly in some spots in the Tri-Cities midweek. But a National Weather Service meteorologist said that was most likely frozen mist, rather than snow.

The Tri-Cities has been trapped under a high pressure system, with cold air not moving out of the area.

The weather service forecasts no precipitation in the Tri-Cities through at least Thursday.

Commercial forecasting services, which put out longer forecasts, predict no snow in the Tri-Cities through at least the first few days of February.

However, the weather service does predict

But the temperature does feel like winter.

Normal highs for late January in the Tri-Cities are about 42 degrees and normal lows are about 28.

Overnight lows, which have been in the low 30s in recent days, are forecast by the weather service to drop to as low as 24 Sunday night. Lows are forecast tin the 20s until warming to 30 Wednesday night.

Highs should remain in the 30s through Monday, with a high of 40 forecast on Tuesday.

Elsewhere in the nation, winter storm watches, warnings, advisories and ice storm warnings are in place for millions of Americans.

Heavy snowfall is forecast from Oklahoma to the Northeast through Monday, according to the weather service.

In addition, it predicts widespread freezing rain and sleet across the southern plains, the lower Mississippi Valley, the Tennessee Valley and the Southeast.

The storm will cause significant to locally catastrophic ice accumulations with the potential for long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions, according to the weather service.

If you live in the Tri-Cities and anxious to see some snow, try going up to Ski Bluewood in the Blue Mountains in southeast Washington near Dayton.

The alpine ski area reports recent snowfall has “delivered great conditions across the mountain.” It’s open Thursday through Monday.

This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 3:47 PM.