Welcome to winter

By on Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON โ€“ The National Weather Service in Pendleton is reporting that snow and rain could complicate driving on New Yearโ€™s Eve and for the rest of the week. Snow is forecast for higher elevations with a total accumulation of up to a foot considered possible.

The forecast for Tollgate shows snow to be 80 to 90 percent likely from New Yearโ€™s Eve at least through Sunday. Forecasters urge caution for those traveling in the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington.

Every winter, there are new drivers on the road. Pendleton Police Chief Chuck Byram says he acquainted his kids to icy conditions by taking them to practice in a parking lot.

โ€œLet them feel like what it feels like to enter into a front-end slide that you canโ€™t get out of,โ€ he said. โ€œHow do you correct out of it, how much brake do you apply, and all of that stuff.โ€

He said the important part of the parking lot lessons for new winter drivers is helping them to learn not to panic.