Oregon–Washington – A cold veil of freezing fog clings to the Blue Mountain foothills this morning, reducing visibility and coating rural highways with a thin layer of ice. From Pendleton, Oregon to Yakima, Washington, early travelers are facing hazardous conditions, prompting an urgent Freezing Fog Advisory from the National Weather Service in Pendleton — in effect until 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Webcams show visibility dropping below one-half mile in stretches of I-84, SR-11, SR-204, and I-82 between Sunnyside and Walla Walla. Drivers should slow down, use low beams, and leave extra distance between vehicles. Bridges, shaded roads, and low-lying valleys are especially prone to black ice as temperatures hover near 30°F (-1°C).
Fog is expected to linger through mid-morning before lifting to mostly cloudy skies with highs near 44°F. Calm conditions dominate the rest of the day, but a pattern change begins Thursday as rain develops across the Columbia Basin, marking the first active stretch of December weather for the region.
By Friday and Saturday, steady rain becomes likely, bringing a mild, damp weekend across eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. Though temperatures stay above freezing, drivers should remain cautious during early hours when re-freeze could still form on untreated surfaces.
Five-Day Outlook (Pendleton, OR):
- Today: Freezing fog until 10 a.m., high 44°F.
- Thursday: Rain likely, high 45°F.
- Friday: Rain continues, high 54°F.
- Saturday: Chance of rain, high 53°F.
- Sunday: Cloudy, high 57°F.
