Pendleton, OR – Headlights sweep across damp pavement this morning as eastern Oregon starts the day under cool, calm skies. Temperatures sit near 39 degrees, but change is already lining up just beyond the horizon. Clouds increase quickly, and by late Monday, rain and gusty winds begin shaping a more active winter pattern.
According to the National Weather Service, today stays mostly quiet with partial sunshine and highs near 58 degrees. Conditions remain manageable for travel early, but drivers should stay alert as weather turns unsettled heading into Monday afternoon. Rain develops along Highway 11 and I-84 corridors, with visibility dropping during heavier bursts.
By Monday evening, steady rain becomes likely. Winds strengthen from the southwest, with gusts approaching 30 mph at times. Wet roads and crosswinds could slow evening commutes and overnight travel. Allow extra time, especially for higher-profile vehicles.
Tuesday brings a brief lull during the day, but the break does not last long. Rain returns Tuesday night with breezy conditions, and colder air starts filtering in. Overnight lows dip into the upper 30s, raising early concerns for slick spots where moisture lingers. Meteorologists note this warm-to-cool transition as an early winter signal, especially for higher elevations surrounding Pendleton.
Midweek stays unsettled. Rain chances continue Wednesday, paired with cooler daytime highs near 51 degrees. As temperatures drop at night, localized slick patches may form after sunset. This is the time of year when flash freezing becomes a hidden hazard.
With the week before Christmas underway, holiday travel is expected to increase. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle and monitor conditions closely.
Five-Day Outlook for Pendleton, OR:
• Today: Partly sunny, high near 58°.
• Monday: Rain likely, windy, high near 65°.
• Tuesday: Chance of rain, breezy, high near 61°.
• Wednesday: Rain chances continue, high near 51°.
• Thursday: Rain likely, cooler, high near 54°.
