Freeze warning issued for Franklin County and surrounding area

PASCO - The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

Temperatures are expected to drop to the low 20s overnight, the weather service said.

The freeze may kill crops, gardens and other "sensitive vegetation," the weather service said.

Meteorologists suggest covering plants and taking steps to prevent outdoor water pipes from bursting.

The cold overnight low is the first of several nights expected to dip belowing freezing in Franklin County and the rest of Eastern Washington.

The forecast for Friday calls for a low of 29 and a high of 43, with light winds and a 60% chance of precipitation.

The low Saturday morning is expected to be about 32 and the high during the day near 43.

On Sunday morning, the low will dip to about 23 degrees and by Monday the overnight low will be about 20, according to the forecast. Highs are expected to be 38-39 degrees both days.

The temperature will increase slightly by next Tuesday, with an overnight low of about 24 and a high near 44.