For this morning's observed minimum temperatures - click Here

Discussion:   Westerly flow aloft from the Pacific will continue strong through early Wednesday.  Then higher pressure aloft will build in through late on Friday.  A weak Pacific weather system will make landfall over the weekend but precipitation should be light.  Quite cool air will continue to settle into Central Washington through Wednesday.  Another weather system will spread some clouds over us Wednesday which could help hold minimums up tonight and again Wednesday night.  In the absence of clouds and wind the potential is for about 24 or 25 degrees in colder locations the next couple nights. Warmer air will move inland beginning Thursday but low level cool air will be persistent.  Consequently, some protection may also be necessary on Friday morning in the absence of clouds.

For tonight:  Winds will persist through midnight in exposed locations but clouds should decrease rapidly during the same period.  Clearing may be short lived, especially in western sections as more Pacific clouds stream into central Washington after midnight.  This may mean early minimums in some areas especially in the upper parts of the Lower Yakima Valley.  Cold spots without clouds or wind could fall to the upper 20s in wind sheltered spots. Otherwise, wind and incoming clouds should hold most readings in the low to mid 30s.

TONIGHT:
Weather:  Clearing with diminishing wind.  Increasing cloud later tonight.
Minimum Temp:  27 to 31 in the coldest wind protected areas prior to the arrival of more clouds.  In the mid and upper 30s elsewhere. 
Protection:  Will be needed in wind protected colder locations, where skies remain clear.
Ceiling or Inversion:  Moderate, becoming strong near sunrise.

The 5 p.m. temperature at the Yakima airport was 52 with a dewpoint of 29.

The 5 p.m. wind at Rattlesnake Ridge at 3500 feet was west at 60 mph.

The 5 p.m. temperature at Walla Walla was 51 with a dewpoint of 36.

Key Station Forecasts:

Wapato PAWS	29	Mattawa PAWS	AF
Buena Heights PAWS	31	Pasco Airport	SAF
Sunnyside Airport Ranch	SAF	100 Circles PAWS	AF
Port Sunnyside PAWS	31	Fishhook PAWS	AF
Benton City PAWS	SAF	Touchet PAWS	32

SAF= Slightly above freezing (33 or 34);   AF= Above freezing (35 or higher)

THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT:
Weather:  Partly cloudy with light wind.  Highs 55 to 60.  Clear to partly cloudy overnight.   
Minimum Temp:  27 to 32 in the colder locations losing clouds and wind, and 33 to 43 elsewhere.
Protection:  Protection likely  again in colder locations.

FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT:
Partly cloudy Friday, but clouds increasing Friday night with a little rain possible on Saturday.  Partly cloudy Saturday night through Sunday night. Highs 56 to 62.  Minimums in the low 30s to low 40s Friday night.  Lows 28 to 30 colder spots on Saturday and Sunday nights with scattered protection likely.

Copyright 2001 Clearwest, Inc.  No part of this publication may be reproduced for commercial purposes.

Bob Robinson, Clearwest Agricultural Weather Service

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