A reminder it’s still January

MOSES LAKE — So far it has been a very acceptable winter. Temperatures have remained on the warm side for January, Actually, those 54-degree days would be on the warm side even for late February. A few cloudy days, a few sunny days, a little rain, hardly any snow – not that bad for December and January.

Yeah, well, don’t get used to it.

Snow, although not much snow, is forecast to start arriving Friday. Then it’s going to get cold. And, as of Wednesday it looks like it’s going to stay cold most of next week.

Amanda Young, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane, said the snow is forecast to arrive Friday morning and stick around through midday on Friday. How much snow will fall is in the laps of the weather gods, but the forecast is one to two inches. A little more snow, about half an inch, is forecast for Saturday, Young said.

Sunday night is when the cold is supposed to arrive. Sunday’s high is forecast at about 37 degrees, Young said, but it’s supposed to drop to about 20 degrees Sunday night. “We’re looking at some really cold temperatures,” single digits or close to it by Monday night. The lows are forecast for 9 degrees Tuesday night and 7 degrees Wednesday night.

“We’re going to get some cold air,” Young said.

The good news is the cold air will just be cold – the forecast is little or no snow. There is a chance of snow late next week, but according to the forecast model it’s too early to tell.

“Welcome to winter,” Young said.

Single-digit temperatures bring with them some health risks, if people aren’t prepared. Residents can prepare their houses by plugging leaks in doors and windows, and put up storm windows if the house has them, according to the Washington Department of Health. Water pipes, especially those near outdoor walls or in an attic or crawl space, need extra insulation.

People should make sure they have appropriate clothing for cold winter days. Appropriate clothing can mean several layers that are loose-fitting, lightweight and warm, depending on the person’s activities. Regular meals are recommended, because the calories provide the fuel for body heat.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].