PENDLETON, Ore. – The high plains of Eastern Oregon woke under a veil of mist and frost, the air biting and still at dawn. Temperatures in Pendleton dipped into the upper 20s, with patchy freezing fog forming along low valleys and open stretches of Interstate 84. Drivers across Umatilla and Morrow Counties should use caution early, as thin ice patches and limited visibility make Friday morning travel tricky.
Skies will gradually clear through midday, with highs climbing into the low 50s under calm conditions. By Saturday, sunshine returns briefly, though cold mornings will persist — lows in the upper 20s and frost possible through sunrise.
A shift begins late Sunday as a Pacific system pushes inland, bringing 60% chances of rain by afternoon. The National Weather Service expects light rain showers across Pendleton and surrounding valleys, continuing into Sunday night and early Monday. Travel conditions may become slick on higher passes, especially for those heading toward the Blue Mountains, where snow levels will hover near 2,800 feet by Tuesday.
Looking ahead to Thanksgiving week, colder air will spill south across much of the U.S., fueling a nationwide winter transition. While Pendleton should stay mostly rain-fed, snow potential increases eastward into Idaho and the Rockies. National models hint that heavy snow (3–10 inches) could impact Midwest and East Coast travel between Nov. 25 and Dec. 3, just as holiday movement peaks.
For now, Pendleton residents can expect a calm, cold Friday, followed by a wet, breezy Sunday and a chilly week leading toward Thanksgiving.
Five-Day Outlook for Pendleton, OR:
Fri: 52/28 – Patchy fog, mostly sunny.
Sat: 53/31 – Sunny, light winds.
Sun: 55/31 – Rain likely by afternoon.
Mon: 49/25 – Scattered showers early.
Tue: 45/30 – Rain/snow mix possible at higher elevations.
