Milton-Freewater, Oregon Weather Forecast Discussion

218
FXUS66 KPDT 231729
AFDPDT
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
1029 AM PDT Tue Sep 23 2025
.AVIATION...
/18z TAFs/
Generally benign aviation weather is anticipated over the next 24
hours. Wind speeds will remain light beneath the upper-level ridge
with a general easterly component, though localization variations
will be driven by diurnal/terrain influences. Haze and smoke across
southeast WA and northeast OR should gradually improve this
afternoon with visibility at 6 SM or greater at the forecast
terminals. /MJ
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 444 AM PDT Tue Sep 23 2025/
AVIATION...
/12Z TAFs/
A smoky sky across the area is having limited impact on
visibility over the last 24 hours. Further improvement is
anticipated This Afternoon and Evening based on HRRR model fields.
All guidance keeps the visibility up in the VFR category at 6
miles or more, and the subsidence and lack of moisture and will
preclude any stratus or fog development for the period. Expect
another 24 hour cycle of light (less than 12 knot) and variable
winds for all terminals.
PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 141 AM PDT Tue Sep 23 2025/
DISCUSSION...Quiet weather pattern continues as a high pressure
ridge remains centered over the PacNW. Only thing to really note
from this pattern is the development of a thermal trough along the
foothills of the Cascades, which will coincide with low RHs in the
lower teens across central Oregon. But in the absence of breezy
winds under this ridge pattern, and with wildfire activity in the
area minimal, not expecting critical conditions to materialize
either today or tomorrow. Temps under this ridge will peak on
Wednesday, with highs well into the 80s, possibly 90 in central
Oregon and the Gorge (confidence 20-30%) due to the aforementioned
thermal trough.
Models have backed off on any kind of moisture surge across the
Washington Cascades heading into the weekend, even as an oncoming
shortwave looks to flatten this ridge. Moisture looks to fall well
to our north and west, so the only impact from this wave would be
an uptick in winds through primarily the Cascade Gaps Thursday and
Friday, but again, critical conditions are not anticipated, as
RHs will increase as cooler air behind this wave filters in.
Ensembles continue to favor a weak SW flow pattern heading into
next week, but until then, sensible weather impacts will remain
relatively limited. Evans/74
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
PDT  79  50  85  54 /   0   0   0   0
ALW  81  56  86  59 /   0   0   0   0
PSC  80  48  84  50 /   0   0   0   0
YKM  80  51  85  53 /   0   0   0   0
HRI  80  48  85  52 /   0   0   0   0
ELN  79  47  85  51 /   0   0   0   0
RDM  84  41  89  44 /   0   0   0   0
LGD  81  47  85  48 /   0   0   0   0
GCD  83  46  89  48 /   0   0   0   0
DLS  84  54  89  57 /   0   0   0   0
&&
.PDT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...None.
WA...None.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...74
AVIATION...MJ

NWS PDT Office Area Forecast Discussion