Oregon starts the morning wrapped in thick fog across the Blue Mountain foothills, where headlights fade quickly and familiar roads vanish without warning. Damp air clings to the valley floor, making even short drives feel tense before sunrise.
According to the National Weather Service in Pendleton, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect through midmorning. Visibility has dropped to a quarter mile or less in spots, creating hazardous travel conditions across eastern Oregon communities.
The advisory includes Pendleton, Athena, Pilot Rock, Heppner, Fossil, and Condon. Fog concentrates along low-lying areas and near open fields, especially along Interstate 84 and surrounding rural highways. Sudden whiteout conditions remain possible, even where visibility briefly improves.
Drivers are urged to slow down, use headlights, and leave extra following distance. Calm winds and near-saturated air allow fog to thicken quickly, particularly around sunrise. To be fair, conditions may vary block by block, adding to the risk.
Temperatures hover in the mid-30s early, increasing the chance for slick patches where moisture settles on colder pavement. While no widespread icing is expected, shaded stretches could stay damp longer this morning.
Improvement arrives later today as clouds thin and fog lifts gradually. Afternoon conditions feel calmer, with highs climbing into the mid-50s under partly sunny skies. Tonight turns quieter, though fog may redevelop again late as temperatures cool.
Looking ahead to Tuesday and Wednesday, eastern Oregon trends drier and slightly warmer. Morning fog remains possible early in the week, but sunshine becomes more consistent by midweek. Highs stay near the mid-50s, offering a mild start to February.
For now, patience matters most. Slow travel and alert driving can prevent accidents during these fog-prone mornings.
Five-Day Outlook for Pendleton, Oregon
Monday: Morning fog, then partly sunny, high near 56, low around 36
Tuesday: Partly sunny, high near 54, low around 34
Wednesday: Partly sunny, high near 54, low around 32
Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 50, low around 32
Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 53, low around 34
