textproduct: Pendleton

KEY MESSAGES

- Red Flag Warnings in effect for critical fire weather conditions Wednesday

- Breezy to windy Wednesday

DISCUSSION...issued 312 AM PDT Tue Jun 16 2026

Current satellite should some clouds forming over the area due to the shortwave. This has assisted with keeping the overnight temperatures warm. Current ground observations so many locations through the Basin with temperatures in the low 70s at 330 am. Temperatures tomorrow will remain in the 90s through the Basin (70-90%) with central, N. central and the foothills seeing high 80s (70- 90%) while the higher elevations outside of central OR will see the high 70s to low 80s (70-90%). Models show the ridge to remain in place over the long term period with a few weak shortwaves on Wednesday and Saturday bringing only a slight temperature difference to the region. Otherwise, dry and warm conditions will persist through the end of the week.

Models show the shortwave that is moving over the ridge will bring a tightening of the surface pressure gradients. In house calculations using the GFS, NAM and RAP all show a tightening of between 9-12 mb. This will bring increased winds across the region, especially through the gaps and along the foothills. Due to this, an Wind Advisory has been issued for today from 10 AM to 11 PM in the Simcoe Highlands of Klickitat County and through the Kittitas/Yakima valleys for west winds between 25-35 mph with gusts to 55 mph (80-90%). The foothills will see sub- advisory winds yet still breezy with winds 15-20 mph with gusts to near 35 mph (70-90%). Winds will begin to settle into a more diurnal pattern overnight Wednesday.

With the increased winds and prolonged dry conditions, fire weather conditions have become elevated across the Basin as well as the Kittitas Valley with isolated pockets elsewhere. With RHs dropping into the teens and the increased winds expected today, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for the Kittitas/Yakima Valley as well as the WA & OR Columbia Basin for winds and RHs. The RFW will be valid from 10 AM today (Tuesday) through 11 PM tonight.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/

VFR conditions are forecast at all sites for the next 24 hours. Skies will be clear to mostly clear outside of any smoke plumes from ongoing wildfires in the Columbia Basin. Wildfire smoke is the one wild card that could produce sub-VFR CIGs and/or VSBYs, but confidence in smoke affecting TAF sites was too low (<30 percent) to include any mention in the 06Z TAFs. Breezy winds this evening will decrease in magnitude overnight, then become locally breezy again Wednesday.

Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs

PDT 52 84 51 86 / 0 0 0 0 ALW 55 84 56 87 / 0 0 0 0 PSC 55 88 54 90 / 0 0 0 0 YKM 55 89 54 89 / 0 0 0 0 HRI 55 87 54 89 / 0 0 0 0 ELN 51 81 51 86 / 0 0 0 0 RDM 47 86 45 87 / 0 0 0 0 LGD 49 81 48 86 / 0 0 0 0 GCD 48 85 46 90 / 0 0 0 0 DLS 57 85 57 91 / 0 0 0 0

PDT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WA...Red Flag Warning until 11 PM PDT this evening for WAZ690-691. Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday for WAZ690. OR...Red Flag Warning until 11 PM PDT this evening for ORZ691. Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday for ORZ700.