First snow of the season this week

MOSES LAKE — It being December and all, it’s reasonable to expect it, and it’s here – snow season. A cold front at the surface and a wave of precipitation above it is expected to produce snow Thursday and maybe into the weekend.

And — it being December and all — it’s going to be cold whether it snows or not.

“It’s pretty much a sure bet (precipitation) is going to be snow, if it falls,” said Rocco Pelatti, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane. The NWS website says snow is likely, a 60 to 70 percent chance Thursday, but tapering off after Thursday night.

Pelatti said the “cold continental air mass” at the surface acts as a brake on the stream of moisture above it. It stops and drops some of that moisture, and with the layer of cold air at the surface, the precipitation falls as snow.

The first snowstorms of the winter are not forecast to be big storms. They should add a couple inches to the snow that fell Monday night, according to the NWS website. Monday’s snow was forecast to start about 4 p.m., and it was right on time.

The eight- to 14-day forecast calls for temperatures near the historic normal, which in the Moses Lake-Ephrata area is about 36 degrees, and above-average precipitation, Pelatti said. Temperatures are forecast to drop into the low teens (13 to 15 degrees) Tuesday and Wednesday, warming up to around 20 degrees Thursday night. Highs are forecast to be 25 to 27 degrees Wednesday and Thursday.

Any snowfall above a couple of inches means it’s time to break out the snow shovels, snow boots and snow driving techniques, along with the precautions for being outside in snowy and cold weather.

Snow driving means slower driving, according to the Washington Department of Transportation website. The DOT suggests slower speeds and accelerating more slowly, and allowing extra time to get to one’s destination. Drivers should slow down when approaching intersections, shady spots and bridges, allow more room between them and the cars ahead and slow down when approaching chain-up areas. People who are traveling out of town should fill the gas tank before leaving.

Cold weather dressing is better in several layers of “loose-fitting, lightweight warm clothing,” according to the Washington Department of Health website. Mittens are considered better than gloves, and a warm hat is recommended.

The house should be checked to make sure all avenues for cold air have been closed. When it’s cold dogs and cats should be inside. In the case of a power failure, any alternative heat sources must be used with caution – never use a barbecue, gas grill or portable propane heater inside the house, the WDOH website said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.