Cold weather lands on Columbia Basin

MOSES LAKE — It’s not unexpected – it is winter, after all – but it’s cold outside. And it’s going to stay cold for a while, according to the National Weather Service.

Low temperatures dropped dramatically Monday night, and are forecast to stay in the single digits for at least a week and maybe through Christmas, said Greg Koch, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane. Temperatures are expected to drop to five degrees above zero, with possible wind chill making it feel even colder, a few degrees below zero. Single-digit lows are forecast through the end of the week. Koch said the extended forecast shows below-normal temperatures continuing through Christmas at least.

That’s due to a mass of cold Arctic air, working its way down across Canada. “We’re watching north wind come down the Okanogan Valley,” Koch said. It’s “colder air, and more importantly, drier air. It will clear out some of our cloud cover.”

The clear nights come right after a snowstorm that left up to 4 inches on the ground. “That snow cover is going to help our temperatures get that much colder,” Koch said.

By Wednesday, the cold air will run into a storm system coming from the south, he said, which could result in some snow. It does mean clouds, which means slightly warmer temperatures at night. But not a lot warmer – back down to six degrees by Friday, according to the NWS website.

The next chance for precipitation will be early next week, Koch said.

The Grant County Homeless Task Force has opened a warming center in Moses Lake at 410 West Third Ave. (the former Boys and Girls Club building). Its hours are 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days per week.

And the arrival of cold weather means taking some precautions, both when out and about and at home.

Cold weather dressing is better in several light, warm layers rather than one heavy layer, according to the Washington Department of Health website. Mittens are recommended rather than gloves, and people should wear a warm hat.

Pets get cold too, and the WDOH recommends bringing pets inside on cold nights.

“Perhaps the most important thing we can do is to check on one another,” according to a press release issued by the city of Ephrata. “Look in on neighbors, especially those that may need extra care during severe weather.”

Cold weather also means looking out for the house, and that means taking precautions against frozen water pipes. Ephrata officials recommended making sure the underside of the house is protected from cold and wind, including possibly adding insulation to water pipes in crawl spaces. Outside faucets should be wrapped also.

If the house is one that’s hard to heat, homeowners should open the doors under the sink to let warmer air circulate and leave a small stream of water running (about the width of pencil lead) overnight. That’s also recommended for people who are going to be away from home overnight, the press release said.

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