Pendleton, Oregon – Drivers across central and north central Oregon could face sudden visibility drops tonight as dense fog expands and thickens into the overnight hours, raising concerns for hazardous travel and slow commutes by Friday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Pendleton, patchy dense fog has already been observed on road cameras and at local weather stations this afternoon, with visibility reduced to around a quarter mile in some locations. Forecasters say the fog is expected to become more widespread this evening and persist overnight into Friday morning.
The greatest impacts are expected across the foothills of the Blue Mountains and the Lower Columbia Basin, where highways and rural roads can quickly become dangerous once fog thickens. Drivers along stretches of I-84, Highway 730, and surrounding secondary roads may encounter rapidly changing conditions with little warning.
Officials urge motorists to slow down, use low-beam headlights, and leave extra distance between vehicles. Delaying non-essential travel overnight may help reduce the risk of crashes, especially in low-lying areas prone to dense fog formation.
Fog is expected to gradually improve later Friday morning as conditions change, but additional advisories could be issued if visibility worsens overnight. Drivers are encouraged to monitor local alerts and road conditions before heading out.
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