textproduct: Pendleton

UPDATED AVIATION...06Z TAFs

VFR conditions will persist through the forecast period with the exception of a brief decrease in CIGs of 3000 feet at PDT between 13-14Z. All sites will see a chance (30-60%) of rain after 13Z, however, YKM will see a <30% chance of FZRA between 08-09Z and then a decrease in CIGs to 300 feet and VIS of 4SM due to FZRA returning between 15-20Z. Winds will remain light and variable through the period. 90

PREV DISCUSSION

/issued 241 PM PST Wed Jan 28 2026/

DISCUSSION...Through Friday Evening: A series of shortwave troughs with attendant surface fronts will continue to impact the forecast area through Friday evening with persistent precip chances in the mountains and intermittent chances in the lower elevations.

Light snow will continue across the Cascade crest and upper east slopes today, with radar and satellite imagery showing a warm front pushing a band of precipitation across western WA and northwest OR this afternoon. This initial band will stall just west of the Cascades late this afternoon, then cross over and impact the forecast this evening through tomorrow morning. This incoming system is expected to have better moisture support then it's predecessor, which will translate to higher chances of lower elevation precipitation tonight. Overall, ensemble and NBM guidance continues to be in favor of mostly rain in the lower elevations with pockets of freezing rain along the lower portions of the Cascade east slope valleys. That said, the coldest ensemble members (mostly the Canadian ensemble members and a couple members of the REFS/HREF) indicate a potential for freezing rain in the Kittitas/Yakima Valleys and the WA side of the Lower Columbia Basin. Have opted to introduce at least a slight chance (15-25%) of freezing rain in these areas, as current conditions suggest some cold pooling has persist into this afternoon(confidence 30-60%). Otherwise, expect light snow accumulations in the mountains above 4kft-4.5kft through tomorrow morning(confidence 80-90%).

A ridge will briefly amplify over the region tomorrow, but flatten as the last of this week's shortwaves slides across the PacNW early Friday. Overall, guidance is in favor of warming conditions across much of the PacNW, with snow levels rising to above 5kft to 6kft Thursday night. Precipitation with Friday's system will remain fairly light across the forecast area, with a trace at best east of the crest. By late Friday evening, upper level ridging will redevelop over the PacNW, resulting in drying conditions.

Friday Night through Tuesday: Ensemble guidance in good agreement of starting the weekend off with dry and mild conditions across the forecast area as an upper ridge parks across the region through Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon, a shortwave will arrive to the PacNW and lift northeast through Monday, bringing with it a chance of light precipitation across the mountains and lower elevations of the forecast area(confidence 50-80%). An upper ridge along the west coast will build behind the shortwave exit late Monday, but precipitation chances will persist through Tuesday morning along the Cascade crest before the dry conditions settle in the remainder of Tuesday. Lawhorn/82

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

PDT 35 53 37 51 / 20 50 10 10 ALW 38 52 39 50 / 20 60 20 10 PSC 33 50 34 47 / 20 60 20 10 YKM 31 44 34 44 / 40 80 30 10 HRI 33 50 36 48 / 20 60 20 0 ELN 29 40 33 40 / 50 80 40 30 RDM 31 52 35 55 / 20 20 0 0 LGD 32 44 34 47 / 10 60 10 10 GCD 31 47 35 51 / 10 50 10 0 DLS 37 48 38 49 / 80 80 30 20

PDT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...None. WA...None.