PENDLETON, Ore. – A sharp drop in temperatures will bring the season’s first freeze to parts of eastern and central Oregon late Sunday night into Monday morning. The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Freeze Watch from midnight through 10 a.m. Monday for the John Day Basin, Central Oregon, the Grande Ronde Valley, and Wallowa County.
According to the NWS Pendleton office, overnight lows are expected to fall to near or below 32 degrees in Redmond, John Day, La Grande, and Enterprise. Residents in these valleys should prepare for the end of the growing season, as sensitive plants and late harvest crops may be damaged by the cold.
Light winds and clear skies will help temperatures plummet, especially in low-lying areas. Frost is likely even outside the watch area, including in the Bend and Madras regions. Drivers along U.S. 97, U.S. 26, and Oregon Route 82 should use caution for patchy frost and potentially slick spots during the Monday morning commute.
The Oregon Department of Transportation advises early risers to allow extra travel time and avoid sudden braking on shaded or bridge surfaces. Homeowners should disconnect outdoor hoses and protect exposed pipes, while pet owners are urged to bring animals indoors overnight.
This early-season chill signals a shift toward more typical October weather, with daytime highs rebounding modestly midweek before another cool front arrives later in the week.
