Frigid weather will roll through the region this week as winter digs its icy fangs into the bones and marrow of Grays Harbor County once more before spring liberates us all from the bitter tyranny of cold.
The National Weather Service is calling for gusty winds on Tuesday and chances of snow beginning on Wednesday, according to their forecast.
“This afternoon (Tuesday) it looks like we might get things picking up a bit. It looks like it might be in the 30 to 40 miles per hour range,” said Ian Cope, community and government relations director for Grays Harbor Public Utility District. “That’s nothing out of the ordinary for this time of the year.”
Alongside gusty winds early in the week, the NWS is calling for chances of snow and temperatures as low as 20 degrees through the weekend. The cold temperatures shouldn’t pose much of an issue for PUD customers, Cope said, but it’s never a bad plan to be ready for a power outage.
“It doesn’t look like we have any predictions for ice storms,” Cope said. “Preparation is always a good idea.”
As of Tuesday, temperatures are expected to drop below freezing at night from Wednesday through Saturday morning.
“Once the system that’s giving us the rain moves out, the wind direction is going to flip to the north/northeast,” said NWS meteorologist Steve Reedy of the Seattle office in a phone interview. “That’s turning on the hose to bring cold Arctic air into the region.”
Nighttime temperatures are forecast to get as low as the low 20s, Reedy said.
“As we get into Wednesday night — Wednesday is colder, into the mid-20s. It looks like Thursday night will be our coldest, with overnight lows in the low 20s,” Reedy said. “We do run the risk of snow in the coastal areas. Areas could see 1-3 inches of snow.”
Snow is expected both in the coastal areas of the county as well as more inland areas, Reedy said.
“The coast and inland kind of have equal opportunity,” Reedy said.
Snowfall and low temperatures introduce risk factors and other outdoors happenings, Reedy said. The NWS will be issuing a winter weather advisory for the cold, Reedy said.
“With the snowfall we’re expecting, if you don’t have to drive, you probably shouldn’t. Go slow, be careful, allow plenty of time to get to your destination,” Reedy said. “With any outdoor pets, make sure you bring them in or make sure they stay warm.”
The NWS also has advice for protecting one’s plumbing from winter’s killing grasp.
“Water pipes on exterior walls and in places that are subject to cold, like in the basement, attic, and under kitchen cabinets, freeze most often. Water expands as it freezes, causing pipes to burst,” said the NWS in a cold-weather issues section. “If they are frozen, first turn on the faucet. Water will drip as you warm the pipes. Heat the pipes using a space heater, heating pad, electric hair dryer or hot water on a cloth. Never use an open flame.”
The bitterest cold should be done with by Thursday, Reedy said.
“A ridge from the Pacific will basically nudge the colder air out and let some warmer air in,” Reedy said. “Once the snow wraps up for you guys Thursday morning, it looks like pretty dry conditions for the remainder of Thursday and Friday.”
Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.
