A deep Pacific low pressure system brought widespread high winds, property damage, and power outages from the evening of December 14 to the morning of December 15. Tens of thousands of utility customers lost power.
Every event with a place to put it; 7 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS PDT wrote it up.
A deep Pacific low pressure system brought widespread high winds, property damage, and power outages from the evening of December 14 to the morning of December 15. Tens of thousands of utility customers lost power. Recorded wind gusts 60 to 70 mph were common.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Pendleton, OR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 14, 2:15 PM PST, 4 hours 45 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
215 PM PST THU DEC 14 2006
.SHORT TERM...TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT...LATEST SATELLITE
IMAGERY/RADAR/SURFACE ANALYSIS SHOWS A WARM FRONT MOVING NORTH
INTO SOUTHERN WASHINGTON. IN THE PRECIP BAND...AMOUNTS OF UP
TO A QUARTER INCH AN HOUR HAVE BEEN REPORTED. WITH COOL AIR
POOLED ACROSS THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CASCADES AND THE
YAKIMA/KITTITAS VALLEY...THIS HEAVIER PRECIP HAS BEEN FALLING
AS SNOW...WITH SEVERAL INCHES OF ACCUMULATIONS ACROSS THE EAST
SLOPES...WITH 2 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS THE KITTITAS VALLEY. WITH
TEMPERATURES SLIGHTLY WARMER IN THE YAKIMA VALLEY...A RAIN/SNOW
MIX HAS BEEN OCCURRING IN THE MID/UPPER VALLEY WITH LOCAL
ACCUMULATIONS OF AN INCH OR SO. FURTHER SOUTH...PRECIP HAS
DIMINISHED IN THE WARM SECTOR ACROSS MOST OF EASTERN OREGON...WITH
WINDS INCREASING. WINDS HAVE BEEN NEAR ADVISORY LEVELS AT TIMES
NEAR BEND AND REDMOND...AS WELL AS ACROSS LOCALIZED AREAS IN
NORTH-CENTRAL OREGON.
GIVEN CURRENT TRENDS AND FURTHER SNOW POTENTIAL THROUGH FRIDAY
MORNING...WILL UPGRADE THE SNOW ADVISORY FOR THE CENTRAL CASCADES
TO A HEAVY SNOW WARNING THROUGH NOON FRIDAY. WILL CONTINUE THE
HEAVY SNOW WARNING FOR THE KITTITAS VALLEY UNTIL 10 PM THIS
EVENING...WITH PRECIP DECREASING AFTER THAT. FOR THE WIND...WILL
DELAY THE TIMING OF THE HIGH WIND WARNINGS/WIND ADVISORIES FOR
EXTREME NORTHERN OREGON/SOUTHERN WASHINGTON UNTIL LATER THIS
EVENING...AS SURFACE GRADIENTS/WINDS ALOFT SHOW THE LARGEST
INCREASE LATE EVENING/OVERNIGHT.
PRECIPITATION/WIND WILL GRADUALLY DIMINISH ON FRIDAY...AS A
POST FRONTAL WESTERLY FLOW REGIME TAKES OVER. STILL THINK SOME
HIGH COVERAGE POPS WILL BE NEEDED FOR UPSLOPE SNOW SHOWERS
ACROSS THE EASTERN MTNS. WILL KEEP ACCUMS UNDER ADVISORY
CRITERIA. SHORT WAVE RIDGING WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA
ON SATURDAY...WITH MOST AREAS PRECIPITATION FREE.
.LONG TERM...SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...MODEL-TO-MODEL AND ENSEMBLE
CONSISTENCY IS ABOVE NORMAL AND AS SUCH THERE IS ABOVE NORMAL
CONFIDENCE IN THE GENERAL PATTERN. THE UNCERTAINTY COMES IN MAINLY
WITH RESPECT TO THE TIMING OF SYSTEMS BECAUSE THE PATTERN IS FAIRLY
PROGRESSIVE. THROUGH AT LEAST TUESDAY IT IS DIFFICULT TO PICK A 12
HOUR PERIOD WHEN THERE IS NOT AT LEAST A CHANCE OF MOUNTAIN
PRECIPITATION. WEDNESDAY IS THE BEST CHANCE FOR A DRY DAY AND A
SHORT-LIVED HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE. AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES IN THE
COLUMBIA BASIN WILL BE IN THE LOW TO MID 30S...OR COOLER DEPENDING
ON HOW STRONG OVERNIGHT INVERSIONS SET UP...AND THERE IS A CHANCE
FOR SOME LOW ELEVATION SNOW OR RAIN/SNOW MIX THROUGH THE WEEKEND. AT
THIS TIME ANY ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT. ANOTHER
FORECAST PROBLEM IS THE POSSIBILITY OF FOG IN THE COLUMBIA BASIN.
THE RIDGING IN BETWEEN SYSTEMS DOESNT LOOK LONG-LIVED UNTIL PERHAPS
WEDNESDAY...SO FOR NOW WILL KEEP FOG OUT OF THE FORECAST.
&&
.AVIATION...MID LEVEL WARM FRONT WITH ASSOCIATED LIGHT TO MODERATE
PRECIP CONTINUES TO MOVE NORTH INTO CENTRAL WASHINGTON AS OF 14/2200
UTC. SURFACE WARM FRONT IS HUNG UP OVER EXTREME NORTHERN OREGON.
VFR CONDITIONS HAVE MOVED INTO KPDT AND KALW...BUT MVFR AND IFR
CONDITIONS LINGER AT KDLS...KPSC AND KYKM. SHOULD SEE IMPROVEMENT AT
KPSC EARLY THIS EVENING. WINDS WILL INCREASE INTO 15 TO 25 KT RANGE
AT KPDT...KALW AND EVENTUALLY AT KPSC...WHILE CONTINUING AT KRDM
THIS EVENING. COULD SEE A FEW MORE SHOWERS WITH COLD FRONT PASSAGE
LATER THIS EVENING. STRONGER WINDS WILL THEN WORK INTO ALL TAF SITES
BEHIND THE COLD FRONT. EXPECT SUSTAINED SPEEDS BETWEEN 25 AND 35 KTS
AFTER 15/0600 UTC.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
PDT 40 47 28 34 / 60 30 10 10
ALW 41 48 29 34 / 60 30 10 10
PSC 40 48 27 35 / 60 20 10 10
YKM 34 43 23 30 / 70 20 10 10
HRI 42 49 26 34 / 40 20 10 10
ELN 31 37 20 27 / 80 30 10 10
RDM 34 39 14 31 / 60 50 30 20
LGD 39 42 22 30 / 70 40 30 10
GCD 34 39 19 33 / 60 40 20 10
DLS 41 47 30 35 / 50 30 10 10
&&
.PDT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...WIND ADVISORY FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING UNTIL UNTIL 10 AM PST
FRIDAY FOR ORZ050.
HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 10 AM PST FRIDAY FOR ORZ042-049.
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY FOR ORZ043-505.
HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM PST FRIDAY
FOR ORZ044-501-504.
WA...HEAVY SNOW WARNING UNTIL 12 PM PST FRIDAY FOR WAZ501.
HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM PST FRIDAY
FOR WAZ028-029.
HEAVY SNOW WARNING UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING FOR WAZ026.
WIND ADVISORY FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM PST FRIDAY FOR
WAZ027.
&&
TI:YGG
FOR ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION, CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT...
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PENDLETON
89/80/90HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
255 PM PST THU DEC 14 2006
ORZ041-WAZ024-501-502-026>030-ORZ042>044-049-050-501>506-151400-
EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF WASHINGTON-
EAST SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
EAST SLOPES OF THE SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
KITTITAS VALLEY-YAKIMA VALLEY-LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF WASHINGTON-
FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON-
NORTHWEST BLUE MOUNTAINS-NORTH CENTRAL OREGON-CENTRAL OREGON-
LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON-GRANDE RONDE VALLEY-WALLOWA COUNTY-
FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-
NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-
SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-
NORTHERN WHEELER AND SOUTHERN GILLIAM COUNTIES-JOHN DAY BASIN-
OCHOCO-JOHN DAY HIGHLANDS-
255 PM PST THU DEC 14 2006
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST OREGON
AS WELL AS SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON.
.DAY ONE...TONIGHT
SNOW
EAST SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON, KITTITAS
VALLEY
STRONG WIND
YAKIMA VALLEY, LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF WASHINGTON, FOOTHILLS
OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON, NORTHWEST BLUE MOUNTAINS,
NORTH CENTRAL OREGON, CENTRAL OREGON, LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF
OREGON, GRANDE RONDE VALLEY, WALLOWA COUNTY, FOOTHILLS OF THE
BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON,
SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, NORTHERN WHEELER AND
SOUTHERN GILLIAM COUNTIES, JOHN DAY BASIN, OCHOCO-JOHN DAY
HIGHLANDS
ANOTHER STORM WILL CROSS THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST TONIGHT. THIS WILL
PRODUCE STRONG WINDS WITH RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES
ACROSS THE EAST SLOPES OF THE WASHINGTON CASCADES. STRONG WINDS
WILL DEVELOP TONIGHT...WITH SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 30 TO
50 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50-60 MPH. SEE PRODUCT PDXNPWPDT AND
PDXWSWPDT FOR DETAILS.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY
SNOW FRIDAY
EAST SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON
STRONG WIND FRIDAY
YAKIMA VALLEY, LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF WASHINGTON, FOOTHILLS
OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON, NORTH CENTRAL OREGON,
LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON, GRANDE RONDE VALLEY, WALLOWA
COUNTY, FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, NORTHERN
WHEELER AND SOUTHERN GILLIAM COUNTIES
STRONG WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING ACROSS NORTHERN
OREGON AND SOUTHERN WASHINGTON. OTHERWISE...PRECIPITATION AND
WIND WILL DECREASE OVER THE WEEKEND.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL BE LIKELY.
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
GRAPHICAL FORECASTS OF WEATHER HAZARDS OUT TO SEVEN DAYS
ARE DISPLAYED ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB AT:
WWW.WRH.NOAA.GOV/PENDLETON/CURRENTHAZARDS/HWO.HTML
ALL LETTERS IN THE ABOVE URL ARE LOWER CASE...EXCEPT THE H IN
CURRENTHAZARDS.PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
111 PM PST THU DEC 14 2006
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 PM HEAVY SNOW 3 SE CLE ELUM 47.16N 120.89W
12/14/2006 M7.0 INCH KITTITAS WA TRAINED SPOTTER
RECEIVED 5 INCHES FROM 830AM TO 11AM...THEN ADDITIONAL 2
INCHES FROM 11AM TO NOON...FOR TOTAL 7 INCHES IN 3.5 HRS.
CURRENTLY HEAVY SNOW AND LOW VISIBILITY, TEMP 33 DEGREES.
1215 PM HEAVY SNOW 9 NW ROSLYN 47.32N 121.25W
12/14/2006 M2.0 INCH KITTITAS WA TRAINED SPOTTER
RECEIVED 2 INCHES SNOW IN 2 HOURS.
1250 PM HEAVY SNOW 2 S CLE ELUM 47.17N 120.93W
12/14/2006 M6.0 INCH KITTITAS WA TRAINED SPOTTER
RECEIVED 5 INCHES 9AM TO NOON...THEN ADDITIONAL 1 INCH IN
45 MINUTES. TOTAL SNOW 6 INCHES IN 4 HOURS. CURRENTLY
33.4 DEGREES.
&&
AMAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
139 PM PST THU DEC 14 2006
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0137 PM HEAVY SNOW N CLE ELUM 47.19N 120.94W
12/14/2006 M4.0 INCH KITTITAS WA TRAINED SPOTTER
RECEIVED 4 INCHES SNOW IN PAST 2 HOURS. CURRENTLY
MODERATELY SNOWING.
&&
AMAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
217 PM PST THU DEC 14 2006
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0150 PM HEAVY SNOW 2 E CLE ELUM 47.19N 120.89W
12/14/2006 M5.0 INCH KITTITAS WA TRAINED SPOTTER
RECEIVED 4 TO 5 INCHES SNOW SINCE 9 AM. CURRENTLY
MODERATE SNOW AT 33 DEGREES.
&&
AMAThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
11 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Reports included a power outage at Moro and gusts to 69 mph at Culver, 63 mph at Shaniko, and 78 mph at North Pole Ridge RAWS.
Reports from Condon included power outage and roof damage with a gust to 64 mph at the school. In Winlock, downed trees were reported.
Reports included a gust to 66 mph 4 miles northeast of Sisters and a power outage with damage in LaPine.
Between 955 pm and 1010 pm, there were several reports of wind gusts between 58 mph and 61 mph in the Irrigon and Hermiston areas. At 1025 pm, a gust to 61 mph was observed at Lexington. At 210 am...a gust to 69 mph was measured at 2 miles south of Umatilla.
Reports included a gust to 62 mph at Heppner High School at 933 pm and a gust to 62 mph 3 miles north of Helix at 1025 pm.
Reports included a gust to 59 mph at Long Creek Schoo at 1005 pm and trees down at Post and 10 miles southeast of Prinville at 1100 pm.
Reports included a gust to 64 mph at Ukiah at 1025 pm and trees downed in the Starkey Hilgard areas.
Reports included at gust to 74 mph at the John Day airport at 1215 am, an estimated gust to 70 mph at Monument at 1100 pm, and trees uprooted at Mount Vernon at 1100 pm.
Between midnight and 1 am, trees were blown down at several locations in LaGrande and a porch was blown off of a house in Imbler.
Trees down on Highway 204 from milepost 8 to milepost 37.
Wasco County Emergency Manager reported power outages across more than 100 blocks and also trees on houses in The Dalles.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oregon in 2006Every state in 2006This day in weather historyWarnings in Oregon, December 2006
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5393, 5395, 5392, 5455, 5466, 5480, 5467, 5478, 5398, 5473, 5481.