Winter forecast: El Niño could mean a milder, drier winter — but don't put away the snow shovel
SNOW TIRES - James Porritt of Point S Tires programs some tire sensors on some new studded tires several years ago. Snow Tires are allowed starting on Nov. 1 in both Oregon and Washington. Good friend Jon Robertson at Point S said people should not wait to get their snow tires mounted as the wait is not that long when its still warm in early November, but it will be soon as the first sign of snow hits. Early bird gets the worm and some nice bright plastic bags for their tires.
The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 10, 2026 — The Columbia River Gorge could be headed into a winter with warmer-than-normal temperatures and less precipitation than usual, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s seasonal outlook.
A strengthening El Niño is expected to influence weather patterns across the country through winter 2026-27.
Hmm, sounds like last year where we had a day of snow and it quickly melted.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecasts increased odds of above-normal temperatures across much of the West, including the Pacific Northwest. Its outlook also indicates a possibility of below-normal precipitation in parts of the interior Northwest. That could mean fewer opportunities for rain and snow in some areas, although seasonal forecasts cannot predict exactly how much snow the Gorge will receive.
El Niño does not guarantee a mild winter. Cold snaps, freezing rain, snow and damaging winter storms remain possible, even during a season that averages warmer than normal. The Gorge’s weather also varies with elevation, so conditions in The Dalles can differ considerably from those in Hood River or on Mount Hood.
Whatever the forecast brings, now is a good time to prepare while fall temperatures still make outdoor chores manageable. Cleaning plugged gutters is a lot less miserable before cold rain or snow arrives. Disconnecting garden hoses, protecting exposed pipes, winterizing sprinkler systems and getting vehicles ready for icy roads can also prevent expensive headaches when temperatures plunge.
The bottom line: Even if El Niño tilts the odds toward a warmer winter, homeowners and drivers in the Gorge should prepare for the cold, wet and icy weather that can still arrive with little warning. A little work now beats dealing with frozen pipes, overflowing gutters or unprepared tires when winter finally shows up.
Winter Kit for Your Car — A well-prepared winter car kit can make all the difference when temperatures drop and roads turn slick. Essential items include a sturdy ice scraper and snow brush, jumper cables, a small shovel, and a bag of sand or cat litter for traction on icy surfaces. Keep an emergency blanket, gloves, flashlight, and extra batteries on hand in case you’re stranded, along with bottled water and nonperishable snacks. A tire pressure gauge and portable air compressor help maintain proper inflation during cold snaps, while windshield washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures keeps your view clear. And while a bottle of Bulleit might sound tempting, it’s best left at home with the bandaids — save the toasty shot for when you’re safely back in the driveway.
FOUNDATION VENTS - Close the vents or cover the vents in your foundation to ensure that the pipes under your home do not freeze. Remember to remove them when the threat of freezing is gone to ventilate and prevent moisture build-up in your crawl space.
WATER METER BOX - Here is what the top of your water meter box looks like. Make sure the interior of the box is insulated. Be careful lifting the lid. It’s heavy. Be mindful of pinch points - places where your fingers could get smashed or bashed or trashed- and get help if it is too heavy. A large screwdriver or pry bar can be used to leverage under the hole in the lid to get a stuck lid to move.
INSIDE THE METER BOX - Here is the inside of the meter box. Insulate your potable water meter where it connects with city water. Insulation, fluffy bark chips, or a bag of styrofoam packing peanuts will work. Fill that space so freezing air does not reach those pipes. If you don’t do this, the backside of the meter can freeze and rupture - and then no water in your home. That could be brutal during mid-hair rinse.
GARDEN HOSES - Disconnect all your garden hoses attached to spigots at your home. Attached hoses can lead to freezing pipes. Also, notice that this hose bib has an anti-siphon device - they can be removed for winter or better yet push in on the pin inside it and if there is water there in the cavity it will drain out. That way your bib is ready to go in the spring.
SPIGOT COVER - Cover your spigots with insulated covers to ensure it does not freeze. These can be purchased at your local hardware stores such as Sawyers Ace, Maupin Hardware or Home Depot. Older homes sometimes are not insulated enough to prevent the water leading up to the spigot valve to prevent freezing, creating the possibility of breaking pipes inside the wall of the house.
WINTERIZE THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM - Don’t forget to drain or blow out your automatic sprinklers. Shut off the water to the system. Seen here, my Dad, Allan Peterson with a good-looking goatee, connects an air hose to his sprinkler system.
STAND BACK - Once the air compressor is sending air through your sprinkler lines, turn each zone on at the control panel. Do one at a time and run them until the sprinkler heads start shooting air. Also, watch out for water droplets when taking photos!
Once you have blown out each zone of the sprinkler system, disconnect the air hose and then fill your box with insulation and put the lid back on the box. Your pipes and expensive control valves will now be warm and comfy. OTHER TIPS - if you have areas in your home that are prone to freezing, such as pipes in cabinets, open the cabinet doors to expose them to more heat. You can also pour RV antifreeze in drain pipe traps - such as in a drain hole in a concrete floor - to keep them from freezing.
This magical pink recipe provides “burst protection” up to -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Hopefully we don’t test that threshold this winter.
Like Old Oil Can Henry Used to say, Check, Double Check. So, Gutter Check - Check them before it starts raining or before it gets frigid. Your hands will thank you. Check your gutters to ensure that winter rain and snow can properly be drained away from your home. If you’re using a ladder, have a second person assisting you from the ground. It’s much healthier to move a ladder to reach something safely:) Time well spent saves time. Plus - bonding time for family and friends as you de-muck by dropping some sloppy, gloppy balls of goo and leaves to the ground. Don’t let the children bag out on you. Make them hold the 5-gallon bucket to catch your bounty.
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