Pendleton, Ore. – Drivers, outdoor workers, and families in Eastern Oregon face another dangerous day as extreme heat grips the region. Afternoon highs near 101°F on Wednesday and 98°F Thursday will keep Pendleton and nearby cities under an Excessive Heat Warning through 8 p.m. Thursday, September 4.
According to the National Weather Service in Pendleton, the warning includes the Columbia Gorge, the Blue Mountain foothills, and much of northeast Oregon. Heat indices between 95 and 103 degrees raise the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for those traveling on Interstate 84 or working outdoors during peak hours.
Officials urge residents to drink water frequently, avoid strenuous outdoor activity in the afternoon, and check on neighbors and pets. Leaving children or animals in parked cars, even briefly, can be deadly in these conditions.
Pendleton, Hermiston, The Dalles, and the Tri-Cities will all feel the strain of this late-summer heatwave. Some high-temperature records may fall Wednesday and Thursday before relief arrives. Daily commuters along I-84 and U.S. 395 should prepare for hazy skies, reduced visibility, and overheated vehicles.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends rescheduling outdoor work for early morning or evening and using shaded rest breaks. Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate 911 assistance.
Relief comes by Friday as highs drop into the upper 80s. By Saturday and Sunday, scattered showers bring the first hints of fall weather.
Warnings remain in effect through Thursday evening, with updates expected as temperatures shift later in the week.
Five-Day Forecast for Pendleton, Oregon
- Thursday: Sunny, high 98°F. Night low 63°F.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, high 96°F. Slight chance of showers at night.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, high 88°F. 40% chance of showers.
- Sunday: Showers likely, high 85°F. Breezy at times.
- Monday: Chance of showers, high 77°F. Cooler fall-like air.
