Oregon, October 26, 2025
News Summary
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm alert for regions in Oregon, including Lower Columbia Basin and Southern Blue Mountains. Conditions include potential pea-sized hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph. Safety recommendations include seeking shelter indoors and avoiding tall objects. The alert anticipates damaging winds, heavy rain, and potential flooding due to rising river levels from snowmelt and rainfall, with thunderstorms expected to continue into the evening.
Severe Thunderstorm Alert Issued for Parts of Oregon
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm alert for several regions in Oregon, including the Lower Columbia Basin, Southern Blue Mountains, and foothills of the Northern and Southern Blue Mountains. The alert was announced on Saturday at 4:07 p.m. and is expected to last until 4:30 p.m.
Predicted conditions include pea-sized hail measuring 0.25 inches and wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph. Doppler radar identified a strong thunderstorm at 4:06 p.m., located approximately 15 miles southwest of Rieth and 17 miles southwest of Pendleton, moving northeast at a speed of 55 mph. The National Weather Service cautions that the gusty winds could potentially down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects, with minor hail damage to vegetation being a possibility.
Following the initial alert, a subsequent notification was issued at 5:42 p.m., extending the strong thunderstorm conditions until 6:15 p.m. for the Lower Columbia River area. The thunderstorms, tracking from near Pigeon Springs to Woodland, are moving east at a rate of 25 mph. Key highways impacted include Interstate 5 between mile markers 25 and 26 and State Route 503 between mile markers 39 and 51.
Safety Recommendations
As the threat of thunderstorms increases, the weather service advises individuals outdoors to seek shelter. It is important to note that lightning strikes occur around 25 million times each year in the U.S., resulting in an average of 20 fatalities annually. The risk for lightning rises as thunderstorms approach, with the danger peaking when the storm is overhead.
Recommended safety procedures during thunderstorms include developing a lightning safety plan, remaining indoors until the storm has passed, and if caught outside without shelter, finding low ground and avoiding tall objects. Heavy rainfall could lead to flooding and hazardous driving conditions; therefore, it is crucial to avoid rapid water flows and remain clear of culverts or drainage ditches.
For safe driving, motorists should maintain safe distances, practicing the two-second rule and increasing distance in heavy rain. Slowing down on wet roads, avoiding abrupt braking, and positioning vehicles toward the middle lanes can help prevent mishaps caused by water pooling on the sides. Additionally, keeping vehicle lights on for visibility and being aware of large vehicles that can block visibility are important.
Future Concerns
Growing concerns regarding rising river levels due to snowmelt and rainfall are present, particularly for the John Day River at Service Creek, which may reach minor flood stage soon. Weather forecasts for the upcoming week indicate a potential for severe weather driven by a strong offshore low-pressure system affecting both Oregon and Washington. Thunderstorms are expected to initiate between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and are projected to dissipate around 10:00 p.m.
The forecast anticipates damaging winds, large hail, and a low likelihood of isolated tornadoes. Following the storms, cooler and wetter conditions will arise on Thursday and Friday, with possibilities of showers and flooding. River and stream levels are expected to peak by Friday, especially in regions near the Cascades and Eastern mountains, with temperature forecasts predicting highs in the 50s to 60s and lows in the 40s.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Areas Affected | Lower Columbia Basin, Southern Blue Mountains |
| Thunderstorm Duration | Initial: Until 4:30 p.m., Extended: Until 6:15 p.m. |
| Weather Conditions | Pea-sized hail, Wind gusts up to 50 mph |
| Safety Precautions | Seek shelter, Stay indoors, Avoid tall objects |
| Storm Movement | Moving northeast at 55 mph |
FAQ
- What areas are under the thunderstorm alert? The alert affects the Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon, Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon, and the foothills of the Northern and Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon.
- What weather conditions are expected from the thunderstorms? Anticipated conditions include pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts up to 50 mph.
- When is the thunderstorm expected to pass? The thunderstorms are expected to continue until 4:30 p.m. for the initial alert and until 6:15 p.m. for the extended alert.
- What safety measures should be taken during a thunderstorm? It is advised to seek shelter, remain indoors, and avoid tall objects if outdoors without shelter.
- What are the driving safety tips during heavy rain? Maintain safe distance, slow down on wet roads, avoid abrupt braking, and keep lights on for visibility.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Northern Blue Mountains
Over 30 Million Under Extreme Weather Alerts as Heat Wave Hits Western U.S.
Additional Resources
- Oregon Live: Pea-Sized Hail and Thunderstorms
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Tri-City Herald: Weather News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hail
- NBC Right Now: Weather Updates
- Google Search: Severe Thunderstorm Safety Tips
- KTVZ: Local Weather Forecast
- Google News: Thunderstorm News
- Apple Valley News: Unsettled Weather
- Google Scholar: Thunderstorm Forecast
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