Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, December 20 to 23, 2012

Name: Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, December 20 to 23, 2012
Start: 2012-12-20T08:00
End: 2012-12-23T16:00
Location: Oregon

December 20 to 23, 2012 · NWS MFR · 7 events in 7 counties and zones

A long lasting winter storm occurred during this interval, caused by a series of closely spaced storms. Most of the snow fell in ORZ024, but heavy snow and blizzards occurred in other areas as well.

Where it happened

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.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 7

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS MFR wrote it up.

A long lasting winter storm occurred during this interval, caused by a series of closely spaced storms. Most of the snow fell in ORZ024, but heavy snow and blizzards occurred in other areas as well.

What forecasters said that day

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 Medford, OR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 20, 3:58 AM PST, 4 hours 2 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 20, 3:58 AM PST, 4 hours 2 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
358 AM PST THU DEC 20 2012

.DISCUSSION...SIGNIFICANT UPDATE THIS MORNING. IN THE STRONG
SOUTHERLY FLOW A CHINOOK EFFECT HAS DEVELOPED NORTH OF THE
SISKIYOUS WITH TEMPERATURES REMAINING IN THE 40S NORTH OF THE
SISKIYOUS IN DOWNSLOPE FLOW. AS A RESULT THE SNOW LEVELS ARE MUCH
HIGHER THAN MODELS HAD FORECAST..OR ARE CURRENTLY FORECASTING.
WITH THE SOLID LINE OF CONVECTION HAVE KEPT THE SNOW LEVELS LOWER
THAN THE CURRENT TEMPERATURES WOULD INDICATE...WITH SIGNIFICANT
PRECIPITATION DROPPING SNOW LEVELS BRIEFLY AS IT MOVES THROUGH.
THIS SYSTEM WILL STALL INLAND THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING... CONTINUING
TO FEED MOISTURE INTO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WHICH WILL FINALLY SEE
SOME SPILL OVER AS THE SOUTHERLY FLOW DECREASES AND LESSENS THE
RAIN SHADOW EFFECT NORTH OF THE STATE LINE. A STRONG SW ORIENTED
JET REMAINS OVER THE REGION WITH STRONG DIVERGENCE ALOFT IN THE
SOUTHERLY FLOW AS ANOTHER SHORT WAVE MOVES THROUGH FRIDAY AHEAD OF
A WARM FRONT THAT RETURNS ANOTHER ROUND OF MODERATE TO HEAVY
PRECIPITATION TO THE REGION THROUGH SATURDAY.

&&

.AVIATION...A POTENT COLD FRONT HAS BEGUN TO MOVE ONSHORE EARLY THIS
MORNING. THE MAIN IMPACT WILL BE THE STRONG SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS
ALOFT IN ADVANCE OF THE FRONT. WIND GUSTS TO 35 KT ARE POSSIBLE AT
KOTH, KMFR AND KLMT. STRONGER GUSTS WILL BE FELT ALONG THE SOUTH
COAST. THERE SHOULD STILL BE PLENTY OF TURBULENCE REGIONWIDE.
MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL ALONG THE COAST WILL CONTINUE TO
SPREAD INLAND THIS MORNING. MODELS SHOWING STRONG DOWNSLOPE FLOW
CURRENTLY AT KMFR KEEPING MOST OF THE PRECIPITATION
AT BAY UNTIL ABOUT 12Z...AT WHICH TIME WINDS SHOULD SLACKEN AND
ALLOW PRECIPITATION TO ENTER THE VALLEY. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE
THAT THE MODELS ALSO RAPIDLY PLUNGE FREEZING LEVELS  MORNING TO
ABOUT 1500 FEET THIS MORNING. IT WOULD BE A HIGHLY UNUSUAL EVENT AT
KMFR TO HAVE STRONG DOWNSLOPE FLOW FOLLOWED BY SNOW. BUT BUFR
SOUNDINGS ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE SNOW LEVELS DOWN TO VALLEY FLOORS WHEN
HEAVIER PRECIPITATION ARRIVES. HAVE OPTED FOR A RAIN/SNOW MIX FOR
AWHILE IN THE TAF TO ACCOUNT FOR THIS POTENTIAL. CIGS HAVE BEEN
MOSTLY VFR THIS EVENING, BUT THESE SHOULD DETERIORATE TO MVFR
OVERNIGHT INTO THURSDAY MORNING AS THE FRONT MOVES EAST. EXPECT
WIDEPSREAD MOUNTAIN OBSCURATION AS WELL.

&&

.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 7 PM PST THIS EVENING FOR ORZ030-031.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY FOR ORZ030-031.
     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 7 AM PST THIS MORNING FOR ORZ021-022.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY FOR ORZ027-028.
     HIGH SURF ADVISORY UNTIL 4 PM PST FRIDAY FOR ORZ021-022.
     HIGH SURF WARNING UNTIL 6 AM PST EARLY THIS MORNING FOR
     ORZ021-022.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY ABOVE 2500 FEET
     FOR FOR ORZ023>026.
     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON FOR ORZ026.

CA...HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON FOR CAZ081.
     WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 3 PM PST FRIDAY ABOVE 2500 FEET FOR
     FOR CAZ080.
     WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 10 AM PST SATURDAY FOR CAZ082-083.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY FOR CAZ081.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM PST EARLY THIS MORNING FOR
     PZZ350-356-370-376.
     HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING UNTIL 4 PM PST FRIDAY FOR
     PZZ350-356-370-376.
     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 7 AM PST THIS MORNING FOR PZZ350.

SBN/SBN/BPN

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 20, 6:12 AM PST, 1 hour 48 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
612 AM PST THU DEC 20 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0610 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 12 SE ASHLAND           42.07N 122.53W
12/20/2012  M70 MPH          JACKSON            OR   PUBLIC

            WINDS MEASURED ON TOP OF MOUNT ASHLAND...REPORT FROM
            MANAGER OF MOUNT ASHLAND SKI RESORT...WINDS GUSTING 30 TO
            45 MILES PER HOUR IN PARKING LOT OF THE RESORT.

&&

BUNKER

Local storm report, Dec 20, 6:32 AM PST, 1 hour 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
632 AM PST THU DEC 20 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0631 AM     HEAVY RAIN       1 WNW COOS BAY          43.38N 124.24W
12/20/2012  M2.10 INCH       COOS               OR   TRAINED SPOTTER

            24 HOUR AMOUNT

&&

BUNKER

Local storm report, Dec 20, 6:35 AM PST, 1 hour 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
635 AM PST THU DEC 20 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0631 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 NNW COOS BAY          43.41N 124.24W
12/20/2012  M1.95 INCH       COOS               OR   TRAINED SPOTTER

            24 HOUR AMOUNT

&&

BUNKER

Local storm report, Dec 20, 7:08 AM PST, 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
708 AM PST THU DEC 20 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0707 AM     HEAVY RAIN       NE BROOKINGS            42.06N 124.29W
12/20/2012  M0.56 INCH       CURRY              OR   TRAINED SPOTTER

            24 HOUR AMOUNT...WINDS EARLIER BROUGHT A BIG DOUGLAS FIR
            TREE DOWN.

&&

BUNKER

Local storm report, Dec 20, 7:24 AM PST, 36 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
724 AM PST THU DEC 20 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0724 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST SW DORRIS               41.96N 121.92W
12/20/2012  E40 MPH          SISKIYOU           CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

BUNKER

Local storm report, Dec 20, 7:31 AM PST, 29 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
731 AM PST THU DEC 20 2012

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0730 AM     HEAVY RAIN       6 SW MERLIN             42.46N 123.49W
12/20/2012  M0.75 INCH       JOSEPHINE          OR   TRAINED SPOTTER

            10 HOUR AMOUNT

&&

BUNKER

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 heavy snow, 2 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Eastern Curry County & Josephine County

When: December 20, 8:00 AM PST to December 21, 6:00 AM PST
Where: Eastern Curry County & Josephine County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.417, -123.886 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A member of the public in Cave Junction reported 3.5 inches in 2-3 hours ending at 20/1100 PST. A spotter 4W Merlin reported 6 inches of snow at 20/1135 PST. A spotter 6SW Merlin reported 4.5 inches of snow in 6 hours ending at 20/1630 PST, and a 24 hour total of 6 inches ending at 21/0530 PST. A spotter 2WSW OBrien reported 3 inches in 8 hours ending at 20/1600 PST and estimated 5 inches in nearby areas. A spotter 1SSW OBrien reported 6.5 inches of snow in 13 hours ending at 20/2100 PST.

Heavy Snow, Klamath Basin

When: December 20, 10:00 AM PST to December 21, 10:00 AM PST
Where: Klamath Basin forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 42.686, -121.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The SNOTEL at Sun Pass (5600 feet) recorded 14.0 inches of snow in 24 hours ending at 21/1000 PST.

Heavy Snow, Jackson County

When: December 20, 10:00 AM PST to December 21, 10:00 AM PST
Where: Jackson County forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 42.432, -122.728 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A CoCoRAHs observer 2.9SE Ashland reported 6.5 inches of snow in 24 hours ending at 21/1000 PST. A CoCoRAHs observer 5.4NNW Gold Hill reported 5.9 inches of snow in 24 hours ending at 21/1000 PST. A CoCoRAHS observer 2.3 NNW Trail reported 6.5 inches of snow in 24 hours ending at 21/1000 PST.

Blizzard, Central & Eastern Lake County

When: December 22, 7:00 AM PST to 9:00 AM PST
Where: Central & Eastern Lake County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.793, -120.387 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A spotter SSW Silver Lake reported blizzard conditions with 2.0 inches of snow in 1 hour ending at 22/0800 PST.

Blizzard, Northern & Eastern Klamath County & Western Lake County

When: December 22, 7:00 AM PST to 9:00 AM PST
Where: Northern & Eastern Klamath County & Western Lake County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.740, -121.018 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Based on a spotter report immediately adjacent to this zone, it is assumed that blizzard conditions occurred in ORZ030.

Heavy Snow, South Central Oregon Cascades

When: December 23, 12:00 AM PST to 4:00 PM PST
Where: South Central Oregon Cascades forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 42.801, -122.519 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Significant snow was reported in the mountains during this period, causing numerous highway closures including Interstate 5 through Siskiyou Summit. Based on the impacts, this warning is considered to be verified.

Heavy Snow, Siskiyou Mountains & Southern Oregon Cascades

When: December 23, 12:00 AM PST to 4:00 PM PST
Where: Siskiyou Mountains & Southern Oregon Cascades forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 42.495, -122.645 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Oregon in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history Warnings in Oregon, December 2012

Sources

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: 421219, 421223, 421224, 421221, 421225, 421227, 421228.