textproduct: Pendleton

AVIATION...06Z TAFS

VFR conditions currently across all sites, but conditions are expected to degrade to IFR for all sites between late morning to mid-afternoon associated with reduced visibilities of 1-2 SM and ceilings of 700-1500 feet. These conditions are a result of an incoming system supplied by an atmospheric river that will also bring light rain across all terminals early morning onward. The cold front associated with this system will elevate winds across the region, with sustained winds of 15-25kts and gusts of 20-30kts. Highest winds are expected for KRDM/KBDN with sustained winds of 25-35kts and gusts of 35-45kts that peak toward the end of the period. 75

PREV DISCUSSION

/issued 408 PM PST Wed Dec 17 2025/

UPDATE...Winds have subsided below either warning or advisory criteria across the area, and will continue to decrease through the remainder of the evening. As a result, the High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories expired at 4 PM PST.

PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 254 PM PST Wed Dec 17 2025/

DISCUSSION...Current conditions are still relatively breezy throughout the region, with the High Wind Warning still in effect for most of the region until 4 PM today. Will let it expire since winds have weakened since this morning and most of the observing winds are currently settling just below advisory criteria. Our ASOS at the airport recorded a preliminary recording of an 81 mph gust that was observed at 3:53 AM this morning. Winds sustain around 45 to 55 mph through around 5:30 AM with current gusts at the office now around 35 to 40 mph. Winds will continue to weaken through the morning hours until the late morning to early afternoon tomorrow when winds will re-strengthen up to 30 to 40 mph, with a peak expected Thursday evening to Friday morning. Currently not settling for Wind Advisory criteria, although confidence is increasing (40 to 60 percent chance across parts of Central OR through the Columbia Basin) we cross criteria over the next 48-hours.

Elevated river levels to locally minor flooding through the Yakima, Naches, and Klickitat (near Pitt, WA) will continue to be a concern going through the next couple of days. Additional precipitation with the next set of fronts will keep some of the rivers elevated in 'Action' stage through the weekend. Most rivers have already crested (with the exceptions of the Yakima at Kiona and Klickitat near Pitt, WA) and will see slight improvements in river levels over the next 48-hours.

Precipitation wise, it would seem we'll go through a "windshield wiper" effect with the type of precipitation we will expect thanks to the back-to-back warm and cold fronts through Friday. Current radar shows light mountain snow showers mainly in the Cascades (with more coverage in the WA side) and can expect light to moderate snow to continue through Thursday morning. With the approaching warm front, snow levels will rise 7800 to 8800 feet, with the exception near the Kittitas Valley and WA Cascades, which will sit at 6000 to 7000 feet. The approaching warm front will transition virtually all of the mountain snow in the Oregon cascades into rain, while leaving light snow/wintry mix in the WA Cascades. Despite this, we've issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Oregon Cascades at 4 AM to 10 AM Thursday, with most snowfall occurring in the earlier hours. On the Washington Cascade and Northern Blue Mountains side, Winter Weather Advisories are expected through 4 PM tomorrow, with slight chances (less than 30 percent) of a trace or more of freezing rain, mainly during the transition of snow to rain in the afternoon hours Thursday. Expect winter weather driving conditions with some slippery spots across highways and interstate in the advisory areas. Friday sees the return of a cold frontal passage with snow levels dropping 2500 to 3500 feet, with light to moderate mountain snow and valley rain continuing.

A cooling trend will continue through the weekend thanks to the cold front passage and most populated areas will see a return of below freezing low temperatures by the weekend.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

PDT 37 56 37 47 / 10 100 90 70 ALW 39 54 39 47 / 10 100 100 70 PSC 39 54 37 50 / 10 100 80 30 YKM 34 46 29 46 / 30 100 90 10 HRI 38 55 38 49 / 10 100 90 50 ELN 30 41 25 38 / 40 100 90 30 RDM 28 56 35 46 / 40 100 100 90 LGD 31 46 35 45 / 10 100 100 100 GCD 30 50 39 47 / 20 100 90 100 DLS 38 48 38 47 / 60 100 100 70

PDT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...Winter Weather Advisory from 4 AM to 4 PM PST Thursday for ORZ502.

Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM PST Thursday for ORZ509.

Flood Watch from 3 AM PST Thursday through late Friday night for ORZ509>511.

WA...Winter Weather Advisory from 4 AM to 4 PM PST Thursday for WAZ030.

Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for WAZ522-523.

Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST Thursday for WAZ522-523.