Frigid New Year's weekend on tap

CHENEY – The National Weather Service is warning residents and travelers that an Arctic air mass will continue to bring frigid temperatures to the regional through the first half of the New Year's weekend.

"Dangerously cold temperatures will impact Eastern Washington and

North Idaho through the remainder of the workweek," the agency reported in a special weather statement released Tuesday. "High temperatures will only warm into the single digits and teens."

Overnight lows are expected dip into the single digits, and possibly below 0 degrees, the statement said.

In the Cheney area, the weather service forecast is for a high of 16 on Thursday, 11 on Friday and 18 on Saturday.

The wind child Thursday will make the temperature feel like it's about minus-6 degrees, the agency said, noting 1-2 inches of snow is expected to fall.

Thursday night's low is forecast to be minus-1 degree and Friday night's low is expected to be about minus-5.

Some areas of Eastern Washington may see wind chills as cold as minus-20 degrees, the National Weather Service statement said.

"With the extreme cold ... frost bite and hypothermia will occur much faster," the statement said. "If outdoors, remember to dress in layers and cover exposed skin."

The frigid weather will also be cold enough to burst unprotected pipes, the agency said.

"Take precautions to protect pets and livestock from extreme cold," the agency said. Roadways are expected to continue to see wintry travel conditions, with ice, slush and snow in places.

By Monday, the temperature is expected to rise, with a high near 34 degrees.