Summer — not spring — weather forecast for next week
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 10 months AGO
Based on the weather forecast, summer is already here, though that's unofficial. Higher-than-normal temperatures are expected throughout the week and area residents are urged to be mindful of hydration and sun exposure.
FILE PHOTO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | May 15, 2023 1:30 AM
MOSES LAKE — While it’s not the hottest weather ever in mid-May, the Columbia Basin is getting an early taste of summer, with temperatures in the high 80s to mid-90s expected through next weekend.
Todd Carter, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane, said that while the temperatures are not unheard of for this time of year in Eastern Washington, it’s still pretty warm for mid-May.
“It’s not unheard of, and it’s not record-breaking by any means,” Carter said. “Although we are flirting with record-breaking temperatures for the lows.”
High temperatures are forecast to be about 90 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday, creeping up to 95 by Friday. Temperatures in the western half of the state for May 13 and 14 were forecast to be high enough - 85 to 90 degrees - that the Washington Department of Health issued an excessive heat warning.
In the Grant County area, average temperatures are in the mid-70s during this time of year, Carter said.
The higher-than-normal temperatures, 15 degrees or so hotter than average, are due to a ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, he said. But there’s also a weather disturbance closer to the surface, which is contributing to the persistent winds. The wind is forecast to be around through Tuesday night.
“There’s high pressure over us. It’s just not right over us,” Carter said. “There’s another weather system sneaking under it.”
Rain also may be part of that lower-level disturbance.
“We’ll throw in a chance of thunderstorms while we’re at it,” he said.
Once the low-atmosphere weather disturbance passes through, temperatures will start to creep up.
“What we’re left with is a more broad-based high pressure ridge over us,” Carter said.
Temperatures are forecast to top out at about 95 degrees Friday and Saturday in Moses Lake. But in areas closer to the river, such as Mattawa and Desert Aire, temperatures are forecast to be 95 to 97 degrees late in the week.
“In those areas it’s getting close to 100 (degrees),” he said.
A low-pressure system is approaching from the Pacific Ocean and is forecast to break down the high pressure, but Carter said it’s unclear when that will happen.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
EPHRATA — The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are starting to leaf out, construction crews are starting to build roundabouts – hey, it’s spring. At least one roundabout project is in its final phase, held over from fall 2025. The intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way will be closed the week of April 6 to allow crews to install permanent lights. “This really is the final (closure),” wrote Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines in a media release. “The roundabout will close at 6 a.m. Monday, and we plan to reopen by Friday, possibly sooner if the work finishes early.”
Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he’s elected, he would replace Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who announced her retirement in March.
Othello Community Museum to open April 25
OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.