MOSES LAKE — All those mild days in November and December? All those 50-degree afternoons? Well, as people may have noticed, that late fall weather is going away, at least for the time being. Joey Clevenger, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said weather patterns are starting to push cold air into Eastern and Central Washington. 

“And maybe we’re finally transitioning to a more winter weather pattern,” Clevenger said. “Winter might finally be arriving.” 

Cold air started arriving over the region Friday and Saturday, and it’s going to stick around, at least for a few days, he said. Low temperatures were forecast to hover around 20- 25 degrees in the Columbia Basin, with highs around 35 degrees. And that’s relatively warm compared to some other locations around the region – lows Monday are forecast to be 13 degrees in Omak and 17 degrees in Chelan. 

“We’re getting a more stable air mass behind this cold front,” Clevenger said. 

He attributed all that 50-degree weather to high-elevation winds, which pushed warmer, moister air into the region. But those weather patterns are changing, he said, with the warmer air dropping to the south and colder air taking its place.  

Winter weather in the Columbia Basin doesn’t always mean snow – there's only about a 20% chance of snow in the forecast – but frequently it means clouds. This week is expected to have clouds. 

“We’re kind of under that shallow ridge pattern,” Clevenger said, with the clouds trapped closer to the surface.  

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day should be mostly cloudy, with a 20% chance of rain and snow.  

Cold weather means cold-weather precautions. That includes winter-appropriate clothing; it’s better to wear several layers of loose-fitting, warm but lightweight clothing, according to information from the Washington Department of Health. Mittens are recommended rather than gloves. People – especially seniors and children – shouldn’t stay outside long, and neither should pets.  

If a home has a fireplace, it should be checked to make sure it’s working properly. Alternative sources of heat should be used with caution – it's never a good idea to bring a grill into the house. A generator should not be used indoors, or in a carport or garage.  

Dogs and cats should be inside when it’s cold, and if they stay outside, they should have an insulated, draft-free place off the ground, with warm bedding like straw or blankets.  

Whether people own or rent their residences, they can keep the house warmer by weatherstripping doors and windows to stop drafts. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be checked to ensure they’re operational.