The lowlands of the Inland Northwest should lose much of their snow this week as high temperatures slowly rise into the 40s. While some flooding may occur in small streams and low lying areas, larger rivers like the Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Yakima are forecast to remain below flood stage. The snow certainly is deep, […]
What’s the deal with Monday’s dusty rain?
Light rain showers fell on parts of the Columbia Basin Monday evening. These brought an insignificant amount of rain, with the Tri-Cities Airport only recording a trace (meaning it wasn’t enough to measure). What made it stand out, however, was the amount of dust it left behind. Dust mixing in with rain happens from time […]
Atmospheric river to bring rain, cooler temperatures to the Columbia Basin
The first atmospheric river event of the season is taking aim for the Pacific Northwest, bringing widespread rain to the region beginning on the coast Tuesday night and spreading inland to moisten the ground in the Tri-Cities Wednesday night. It will be backed by a cold front spawned by a low pressure system that will […]
Relief on the way with cooler temperatures starting Wednesday
The heat wave that is gripping the Columbia Basin will draw to a close over the next day or so. The upper-level ridge of high pressure influencing the pattern over the Inland Northwest will start moving to the east, allowing a trough located offshore to migrate closer to the Pacific Northwest. With the approach of […]
False fall drawing to a close; highs above 105° expected
A ridge of high pressure will build over the next couple days, bringing a steady climb to high temperatures across the Columbia Basin for the remainder of the week. Current indications are that highs will reach their peak Sunday with highs at or above 105°. The warmest locations will be in the lower elevations, such […]
New high temperature records Thursday as heat wave continues
On Thursday afternoon, the Tri-Cities Airport reached 110° for the first time in five years, but it didn’t stop there. Preliminary data from the National Weather Service shows the airport in Pasco reached a high of 111°, solidly beating the old record for July 30 which was 107° set in 2003. The Tri-Cities aren’t the […]
Highs around 110° for the Columbia Basin
High pressure will remain in place over the region through Friday. This coupled with southerly flow thanks to a deepening low in the Pacific will amplify already hot temperatures in the Inland Northwest, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an excessive heat warning for the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas. This warning goes into effect […]
Enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms for the Tri-Cities Saturday
The cover photo was taken by Dennis Brown during Saturday morning’s storm. Thanks for sharing, Dennis! Information in this post is accurate as of 8:00 am PDT Saturday. The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded much of Eastern Washington and Oregon to be in an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms Saturday. This is for areas to […]
GALLERY: Pictures from Monday’s storms in the Columbia Basin
Monday’s storm over the Columbia Basin produced plenty of lightning and heavy rain. Hermiston recorded 0.51″, the Southridge area of Kennewick had 0.58″, and I even received a report from Beck Road south of Kennewick where a grower had 0.84″! On top of this, flooding in Connell prompted the National Weather Service to issue a […]
Unsettled weather for the first half of the week
There is a chance of showers for the Tri-Cities in place through Wednesday thanks to a deep low pressure system that is lazily moving across the Western United States. Rain chances drop off significantly Sunday night, but we can expect to see periodic light rain and drizzle for the next several days. The presence of […]