PENDLETON, Ore. – The calm start to the morning feels almost deceptive. A gray ceiling hangs low over the Blue Mountain foothills, with mist weaving through open wheat fields and fog hugging the Umatilla River. That still air won’t last long — a Pacific system is on the move, set to bring steady rain and a touch of wind to eastern Oregon beginning Thursday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Pendleton, showers will increase across the Columbia Plateau after sunrise Thursday, becoming more widespread through the day. Highs near 65°F will feel mild for mid-November, but cooler air follows as the front moves east Thursday night. Rain chances climb to 70 percent, with light winds shifting southwest by evening and gusts up to 20 mph possible.
Motorists traveling along I-84 and Route 395 should expect wet pavement and reduced visibility through Thursday night. Precipitation totals will stay light — less than a quarter inch for most — yet the steady drizzle could linger into Friday morning, complicating early commutes.
Conditions begin to ease Friday afternoon as highs drop into the upper 50s, setting up a quieter but still cloudy weekend. Saturday offers a brief break with partial clearing before another weak front slides in Sunday, renewing the chance for light rain.
For now, no frost or freeze concerns are on the horizon, but forecasters note a possible cold push next week that could dip morning lows near freezing — a sign that winter’s edge is nearing the Columbia Basin.
Five-Day Outlook for Pendleton, OR:
Thu: 65/42 – Rain develops; breezy afternoon.
Fri: 59/42 – Cloudy; light rain early.
Sat: 61/39 – Partly cloudy; brief dry spell.
Sun: 60/40 – Rain returns late; cooler.
Mon: 52/31 – Mostly cloudy; colder air builds.
