Yakima, Washington – Temperatures across eastern Washington and northeast Oregon are expected to fall below freezing overnight, putting crops and sensitive vegetation at risk through Friday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Pendleton, a Freeze Warning is in effect from 11 p.m. Thursday to 9 a.m. Friday for the Yakima Valley, Kittitas Valley, and the Lower Columbia Basin, including cities such as Yakima, Tri-Cities, Hermiston, and Pendleton. Overnight lows are expected to dip to around 28 degrees, cold enough to damage early-season crops and gardens.
Agricultural areas across the region, especially vineyards and orchards in the Yakima and Columbia Basin regions, face increased risk during the pre-dawn hours when temperatures are at their lowest. Rural valleys and low-lying areas will likely see the coldest readings.
Residents and growers are urged to cover plants, protect irrigation systems, and insulate exposed pipes ahead of the freeze. Even a brief period below freezing can cause lasting damage.
Conditions are expected to improve after 9 a.m. Friday, but additional cold mornings may follow if the pattern holds into the weekend.
