Freeze warning issued for early Friday morning

PENDLETON, Ore.-- The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Freeze Warning for the Lower Columbia Basin, Yakima Valley, Kittitas County, and the foothills of the Blue Mountains in Washington. In Oregon, the Lower Columbia Basin, and the foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains in Oregon.

The freeze warning is in effect from 2:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Friday.

Forecasters expect temperatures to dip below freezing, somewhere between 28 and 32 degrees.

Weather forecasters warn that the sub-freezing temperatures could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

You're encouraged to take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes, wrap, drain, or allow spigots to drip slowly. Those with in-ground sprinklers should drain them and allow them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.