Oregon’s high desert greets the morning with crisp air and muted light, as Pendleton sits under mostly cloudy skies and temperatures hovering in the upper 30s. Frost clings to shaded surfaces, and cold pavement hints at a winter pattern slowly tightening its grip.
According to the National Weather Service, Pendleton stays dry and brighter through today, with highs pushing near 49. That brief calm sets up a more active stretch beginning late tonight, when rain chances increase and temperatures slide toward the freezing mark by daybreak.
By Sunday morning, rain becomes more likely, especially along Highway 11 and sections of I-84 near Pendleton. While precipitation amounts stay light, the timing matters. Early-morning travel could feel slick where moisture meets cold ground, particularly in low-lying and shaded areas. Drivers should stay alert for patchy slick spots as winter conditions begin to flirt with the region.
Sunday night into Monday keeps clouds overhead, with lows near 32 and highs rebounding into the low 50s. Meteorologists note this warm-to-cold rhythm as an early winter signal. Models hint at a possible rain-to-snow mix later next week, especially during nighttime hours, even if confidence remains low for now.
Rain chances return again Tuesday and Wednesday, with temperatures dipping back into the low 30s at night. That raises the potential for refreezing on untreated roads after wet periods, a classic flash-freeze setup during December travel.
Looking ahead to Christmas travel, eastern Oregon drivers should prepare for changing conditions. Keep extra time in your plans, check road reports before heading out, and be ready for colder nights greeting travelers returning home.
Heading out early or traveling this week? Let us know how cold it felt where you are.
Five-Day Outlook for Pendleton, Oregon
- Today: Mostly sunny; high near 49
- Sunday: Rain likely; high near 46
- Monday: Mostly sunny, slight rain chance; high near 51
- Tuesday: Chance of rain; high near 47
- Wednesday: Slight rain chance; high near 47
