Pendleton, Oregon – Temperatures in parts of eastern Washington could plunge into the 20s overnight as a Freeze Warning goes into effect from midnight to 9 a.m. Thursday, threatening crops, pets, and plumbing across rural areas.
According to the National Weather Service in Pendleton, the warning covers the Foothills of the Blue Mountains and parts of the Lower Columbia Basin in Washington. The coldest conditions are expected in valleys, agricultural zones, and less populated regions, where overnight lows may fall into the upper 20s to low 30s.
Cities and counties within the warning area include Walla Walla, Dayton, and rural stretches of Franklin and Columbia counties. Residents are urged to bring pets indoors, cover sensitive vegetation, and protect outdoor plumbing. Cold mornings may also pose challenges for early travelers, with frost forming on untreated rural roads.
This is the first widespread freeze of the spring season for the region, marking a critical period for farmers and gardeners. Drivers are advised to dress warmly, keep tanks full, and allow extra time for morning commutes.
The Freeze Warning remains in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday, and additional advisories could be issued if temperatures continue to drop.
