Oregon – Exhaust hangs low in the cold air this morning as mist drifts across Pendleton streets and headlights reflect off damp pavement. New Year’s Day begins with a sharp winter edge in eastern Oregon, where freezing rain and stagnant air combine to create hazardous conditions early.
According to the National Weather Service in Pendleton, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through late tonight as periods of freezing rain produce light ice accumulations, up to a tenth of an inch in spots. An Air Stagnation Advisory is also active through midday, trapping pollutants near the ground under a persistent inversion.
Temperatures hover in the upper 20s to mid-30s, keeping bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads slick. Drivers along I-84, Highway 11, and local routes through the Lower Columbia Basin and Blue Mountain foothills should expect patchy ice, especially during the morning and evening commute windows. Even small ice amounts can cause sudden loss of traction.
Poor air quality may add another layer of concern. Those with respiratory conditions are urged to limit outdoor activity, while residents are asked to avoid wood burning when possible. Calm winds and shallow mixing are allowing pollution to linger close to the surface.
Conditions gradually improve by Friday as temperatures rise into the upper 40s and precipitation transitions to plain rain. That warming trend continues into the weekend, but scattered rain showers remain likely, keeping roads wet and visibility reduced at times.
While significant snow is not expected in the Pendleton area, higher elevations of the Blue Mountains could still see winter travel impacts. Stay alert for updates as advisories evolve.
Driving this morning or noticing icy patches nearby? Share what conditions look like where you are.
Five-Day Outlook for Pendleton, Oregon
• New Year’s Day: Freezing rain possible early, chance of rain later, high near 35°F
• Friday: Chance of rain, warmer, high near 49°F
• Saturday: Scattered rain, high near 53°F
• Sunday: Chance of rain, high near 55°F
• Monday: Mostly cloudy with rain chances, high near 50°F
