Longview residents should prepare for a cold night Thursday, with overnight temperatures expected to fall below freezing across the area.

Forecasts for Thursday night (Jan. 22) show Longview dropping to around 28°F, with Friday night potentially colder, falling into the low-to-mid 20s. Current conditions Thursday afternoon were in the 30s to low 40s, under cloudy skies.

While the tip we received described “extreme temperatures,” the available forecast information points to a more typical winter cold snap for Cowlitz County—still important because freezing temperatures can burst pipes, damage outdoor plants, and increase risk for people without reliable heat.

What to do tonight

• Protect pipes: If you have exposed plumbing, cover it and consider letting indoor faucets drip slightly overnight.
• Check on neighbors: Older adults, disabled residents, and unhoused people face higher risk during freezing nights.
• Pets and animals: Bring pets indoors and provide shelter and water that won’t freeze for outdoor animals.
• Drive cautiously early Friday: Bridges and shaded roads can ice first if there’s lingering moisture.

This is a reminder that “severe weather” isn’t only about dramatic storms—prolonged cold can quietly strain households, especially renters and low-income families facing high utility bills. In a county where many people already have to choose between necessities, the simplest cold-weather preparations can prevent expensive damage and health emergencies.

Sources

• National Weather Service (Seattle/Tacoma office): https://www.weather.gov/sew/

Editor’s note: This story will be updated if official advisories (such as a Freeze Warning) are issued for the Longview/Kelso area.