A strong cold front brought heavy snowfall to the mountains and widespread high winds with localized damage. Peak wind speeds reported in miles per hour included Pendleton airport (59), 5 miles west northwest of Ruggs (63), North Pole Ridge Raws (58), 5 miles south southeast of Umatilla (60), 3 miles northeast of Hermiston (60), and 8 miles southwest of Echo (58).
Every event with a place to put it; 4 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 strong cold front brought heavy snowfall to the mountains and widespread high winds with localized damage. Peak wind speeds reported in miles per hour included Pendleton airport (59), 5 miles west northwest of Ruggs (63), North Pole Ridge Raws (58), 5 miles south southeast of Umatilla (60), 3 miles northeast of Hermiston (60), and 8 miles southwest of Echo (58). Damage reported includes downed rain gutters and vinyl siding in Pendleton, trees and tree limbs down southeast of Mikkalo and west of Hermiston, and shingles blown off near Wasco.
Heavy snowfall reported included 2 miles north northwest of LaPine (7), Sunriver (6), 5 miles north of LaPine (8.5), 2 miles northwest of Sisters (6.5), 2 miles south southwest of Camp Sherman (9) and Spout Springs (8).
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 Feb 24, 7:45 PM PST, 15 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
745 PM PST FRI FEB 24 2012
.SHORT TERM...WEATHER SYSTEM MOVING ACROSS THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
LOOKS IMPRESSIVE ON SATELLITE. STRONG COLD FRONT IS CURRENTLY MOVING
THROUGH WESTERN WASHINGTON AND WESTERN OREGON. THIS FRONT WILL BRING
A PERIOD OF RAIN AND SNOW LATER THIS EVENING INTO TONIGHT. AIRMASS
IS FAIRLY WARM AHEAD OF THE FRONT SO PRECIPITATION WILL BE MOSTLY
RAIN TO START. HOWEVER FREEZING LEVELS WILL DROP FAST AND
PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE OVER TO SNOW AT THE MID AND HIGHER
ELEVATIONS. VISIBLE IMAGERY FROM EARLIER TODAY SHOWED PLENTY OF COLD
AIR CUMULUS OFFSHORE. THIS WILL BRING RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS TO THE
REGION SATURDAY ESPECIALLY OVER THE MOUNTAINS. HIGHEST ACCUMULATIONS
WILL BE OVER THE CASCADES AND BLUES WITH UPSLOPE FLOW. SOME
LOCATIONS ARE SEEING PREFRONTAL SOUTHERLY WINDS EARLY THIS EVENING
GUSTING 20-40KT. MAIN WIND EVENT WILL COME AFTER FRONTAL PASSAGE
WITH STRONG PRESSURE RISES PRODUCING SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 25-45KT WITH
GUSTS 45-55KT. 120 FOOT AGL WINDS STILL PEAKING OUT AT 57KT ON
SATURDAY. AIRMASS IS A LITTLE UNSTABLE AS WELL AND SHOULD PROMOTE
MIXING DOWN OF WINDS ALOFT. ALL WIND ADVISORIES AND WARNINGS LOOK
GOOD AND WILL UPDATE STATEMENT LATER THIS EVENING. 94
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 306 PM PST FRI FEB 24 2012/
SHORT TERM...TONIGHT THROUGH TOMORROW NIGHT...A STRONG STORM SYSTEM
WILL PUSH ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW. AFTERNOON
TEMPERATURES ARE MILD AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT THIS EVENING. WINDS
ARE STILL BREEZY ALONG THE GRANDE RONDE VALLEY...WITH A WIND
ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH 10PM THIS EVENING. PRESSURE GRADIENTS
WILL BECOME VERY TIGHT WITH THE APPROACHING SYSTEM. NEWEST GRADIENTS
HAS A PRESSURE CHANGE OF 15 MB BETWEEN PORTLAND AND SPOKANE TOMORROW
AT 21Z. THE UPPER LEVEL LOW ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SYSTEM SHOULD MOVE
ACROSS THE CASCADES TONIGHT. RAIN SHOWERS ALONG THE EAST SLOPES OF
THE CASCADES SHOULD CHANGE OVER TO SNOW SHOWERS BY MORNING. WINDS
WILL PICK UP ACROSS THE AREA AND BECOME SUSTAINED 35-45 WITH GUSTS
UP TO 65MPH. THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL LIKELY BE SEEN WITH THE
FRONTAL PASSAGE.
WITH THE FRONTAL PASSAGE...A CONTINUED WESTERLY FLOW WILL PERSIST
ALONG THE BLUE MOUNTAINS. THIS WILL PROVIDE CONTINUOUS SNOW
SHOWERS...MAINLY ALONG THE TOLLGATE AND SKI BLUEWOOD PORTION OF THE
BLUE MOUNTAINS. A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT ABOVE 4500
FT THROUGH 11PM TOMORROW EVENING. HOWEVER...AREAS SOUTH OF TOLLGATE
ALONG THE BLUE MOUNTAINS MAY ONLY SEE A FEW INCHES. WINDS WILL ALSO
BE A FACTOR ACROSS THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS ALONG WITH THE SNOW.
THEREFORE...A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHERN
BLUE MOUNTAINS...THE GRANDE RONDE VALLEY...AND WALLOWA COUNTY FOR
SNOW AND AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD.
MODELS HAVE INDICATED THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS ALONG THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CASCADES TOMORROW AFTER
THE FRONT PASSES. HOWEVER...WITH VERY STRONG WINDS ALOFT AND
SINKING MOTION ALONG THE LEE SIDE OF THE CASCADES...MUCH OF THIS
SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION WILL BE RAINSHADOWED OUT. WILL NOT RULE
OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SIGNIFICANT LOCALIZED ACCUMULATIONS IN AREAS
SUCH AS...EASTON...TROUT LAKE...SISTERS...SUNRIVER...AND CAMP
SHERMAN. THEREFORE HAVE ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW
AND BLOWING SNOW ALONG THE EAST SLOPES OF THE OREGON AND WASHINGTON
CASCADES THROUGH 4PM PST SATURDAY. THERE IS ALSO POTENTIAL FOR
CONTINUED UPSLOPE FLOW ALONG THE SIMCOE HIGHLANDS TONIGHT INTO
SATURDAY AFTERNOON...SO HAVE ALSO ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
FOR ABOVE 1500 FT. AREAS SUCH AS SATUS PASS MAY PICK UP 2 TO 5
INCHES OVER AN 18 HOUR PERIOD.
CURRENT FORECAST DOES NOT HAVE MUCH OF ANY PRECIPITATION
ACCUMULATION ACROSS THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN TONIGHT. THIS COULD
DRAW SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS TOMORROW AS BLOWING DUST IS POSSIBLE.
WITH 40+ MPH WINDS OVER A LONG DURATION AND DRY SOILS...THE BLOWING
DUST INDEX IS VERY HIGH. FOR NOW WILL ADD MENTION OF AREAS OF
BLOWING DUST INTO THE FORECAST BELOW 2500 FT AND VISIBILITIES MAY BE
REDUCED TO 1 QUARTER OF A MILE. WEBER
LONG TERM...SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH
WILL MOVE SOUTHWARD ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA ON SUNDAY FOR
INCREASING POPS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE TROUGH LINGERS OVER THE
REGION SUNDAY NIGHT, WHICH WILL KEEP A CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS IN THE
MOUNTAINS OF EASTERN OREGON AND SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON, BUT WITH
DRYING CONDITIONS IN THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN AND AREAS IMMEDIATELY
EAST OF THE CASCADES IN SOUTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON AND IN NORTH
CENTRAL AND CENTRAL OREGON. ON MONDAY AN UPPER LEVEL RIDGE OF HIGH
PRESSURE MOVES OVER THE FORECAST AREA FOR DRY CONDITIONS, ALTHOUGH
THE EXTREME NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS MAY HAVE SOME SCATTERED
OROGRAPHIC SNOW SHOWERS DUE TO NORTHERLY FLOW AGAINST THE NORTH
FACING SLOPES OF THE BLUES IN WASHINGTON. THE RIDGE PERSISTS OVER
THE REGION MONDAY NIGHT FOR DRY CONDITIONS. ON TUESDAY A VERY STRONG
AND DEEP LOW PRESSURE TROUGH IN THE GULF OF ALASKA THEN MOVES
SOUTHEAST AND BRINGS A WARM FRONT AND SNOW SPREADING EASTWARD IN THE
AFTERNOON ACROSS CENTRAL AND SOUTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON, AS WELL AS
NORTH CENTRAL AND CENTRAL OREGON. TUESDAY NIGHT THE TROUGH PUSHES A
COLD FRONT INTO THE FORECAST AREA FOR WIDESPREAD SNOW IN THE
MOUNTAINS AND RAIN LIKELY IN THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN AND A
RAIN/SNOW MIX IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS. POLAN
WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...WEDNESDAY AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH WILL
MOVE THROUGH EASTERN WASHINGTON AND OREGON WITH NUMEROUS MOUNTAIN
SNOW SHOWERS AND CHANCE OF RAIN AND HIGHER ELEVATION SNOW SHOWERS.
TIGHT SURFACE PRESSURE GRADIENTS AND POTENTIAL FOR HIGHER WINDS
ALOFT TO MIX TO THE SURFACE WILL CREATE WINDY CONDITIONS OVER THE
CWA AS WELL. NORTHWESTERLY FLOW ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE TROUGH WILL
KEEP SHOWERS OVER THE CWA WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY WITH
OCCASIONAL BREEZY WINDS. COONFIELD
AVIATION...00Z TAFS...VFR CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR THROUGH AT LEAST
25/06Z. CONDITIONS MAY THEN DETERIORATE TO MVFR/VFR IN SHOWERS WITH
STRONG WINDS DRIVEN BY INCREASING PRESSURE GRADIENT. MID AND HIGH
CLOUDS WILL INCREASE AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT THAT WILL MOVE THROUGH
THE AREA TONIGHT. WINDS WILL GENERALLY BE LIGHT UNTIL A FEW HOURS
PRIOR TO FRONTAL PASSAGE WHEN WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 20-30 KTS WITH
HIGHER GUSTS TO 40-50 KTS BY 25/12Z. WINDS WILL INCREASE FURTHER
THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. HIGH WIND WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT AT ALL
TAF SITES FROM 25/06Z TO 26/07Z. THERE WILL BE BLOWING DUST REDUCING
VSBY TO AROUND 2SM AT KPSC, KPDT AND KALW AFTER 25/12Z ON SATURDAY.
A LOW LEVEL JET STREAK WITH WINDS OF 50-60 KTS AT 5000 FT ABOVE MSL
WILL OCCUR OVER TAF SITES STARTING AROUND 25/12Z (4 AM PST) AND
CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. DOWNWARD VERTICAL
MIXING OF THE HIGH WINDS ALOFT WILL PRODUCE VERY STRONG CROSS-RUNWAY
WINDS AND STRONG NON-CONVECTIVE LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR WITHIN 2000 FT
OF AIRPORT RUNWAYS. IN OTHER WORDS, LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR WILL OCCUR
IN THE LOWEST 2000 FT AGL AT ALL TAF SITES. THESE CONDITIONS WILL
MAKE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND PILOT CAUTION IS
ADVISED. THE 00Z TAF ISSUANCES WILL CONTAIN LLWS FORECASTS FOR ALL
TAF SITES. POLAN
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
PDT 37 41 29 42 / 80 50 30 30
ALW 39 43 32 45 / 90 60 40 30
PSC 41 49 31 49 / 30 20 10 30
YKM 33 46 25 47 / 40 30 10 20
HRI 37 45 30 48 / 70 30 10 20
ELN 32 42 24 43 / 60 40 20 20
RDM 31 37 19 38 / 80 30 10 20
LGD 32 43 26 40 / 80 80 50 40
GCD 33 39 22 41 / 90 80 20 30
DLS 38 47 31 48 / 90 70 30 30
&&
.PDT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM PST
SATURDAY ORZ049-050-503.
WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM PST
SATURDAY ABOVE 4500 FEET FOR THE ORZ502.
HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM PST SATURDAY
ORZ506-509.
HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM PST SATURDAY
ORZ041-042-044-507-508.
WIND ADVISORY FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM PST SATURDAY
ORZ505.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM PST
SATURDAY ORZ509.
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING FOR LADD AND PYLES
CANYONS IN THE ORZ049.
WA...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM PST
SATURDAY ABOVE 4500 FEET FOR THE WAZ030.
HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM PST SATURDAY
WAZ024-027>029-521.
WIND ADVISORY FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 11 PM PST SATURDAY
WAZ520.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM PST
SATURDAY WAZ520.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM PST
SATURDAY ABOVE 1500 FEET FOR THE WAZ521.
&&
THREAT INDEX
SATURDAY : RED
SUNDAY : GREEN
MONDAY : GREEN
GREEN: NONE OR LIMITED NEED FOR WATCHES, WARNINGS, OR ADVISORIES.
YELLOW: A FEW WATCHES, WARNINGS, OR ADVISORIES POSSIBLE OR IN EFFECT.
RED: NUMEROUS WATCHES, WARNINGS, OR ADVISORIES POSSIBLE OR IN EFFECT.
FOR ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION, CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT...
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PENDLETON
94/HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
235 PM PST FRI FEB 24 2012
ORZ041-042-044-049-050-502-503-505>509-WAZ024-026>030-520-521-
251400-
EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF OREGON-NORTH CENTRAL OREGON-
LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON-GRANDE RONDE VALLEY-WALLOWA COUNTY-
NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-
SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-JOHN DAY BASIN-OCHOCO-
JOHN DAY HIGHLANDS-
FOOTHILLS OF THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-
FOOTHILLS OF THE SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-
EAST SLOPES OF THE OREGON CASCADES-
EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF WASHINGTON-KITTITAS VALLEY-
YAKIMA VALLEY-LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF WASHINGTON-
FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON-
NORTHWEST BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON-
EAST SLOPES OF THE WASHINGTON CASCADES-SIMCOE HIGHLANDS-
235 PM PST FRI FEB 24 2012
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST OREGON
AS WELL AS SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON.
.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT
SNOW
NORTHWEST BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON, WALLOWA COUNTY,
NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS
OF OREGON, EAST SLOPES OF THE WASHINGTON AND OREGON CASCADES,
SIMCOE HIGHLANDS
STRONG WIND
EAST SLOPES OF THE WASHINGTON CASCADES, SIMCOE HIGHLANDS,
EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF WASHINGTON, YAKIMA VALLEY,
LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF WASHINGTON, FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE
MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON, EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF
OREGON, NORTH CENTRAL OREGON, EAST SLOPES OF THE OREGON
CASCADES, LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON, GRANDE RONDE VALLEY,
FOOTHILLS OF THE NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, FOOTHILLS
OF THE SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, JOHN DAY BASIN,
OCHOCO-JOHN DAY HIGHLANDS
A STRONG WINTER STORM WILL PRIMARILY BEGIN IMPACTING THE REGION
LATE THIS EVENING. STRONG WINDS IN ADDITION TO SOME AREAS
EXPERIENCING PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW COULD MAKE TRAVEL
DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES THROUGH SATURDAY. PROPERTY
DAMAGE IS ALSO POSSIBLE. PLEASE REFER TO THE HIGH WIND WARNINGS
AND WIND ADVISORIES /WWUS76 KPDT PDXNPWPDT/ ALONG WITH THE WINTER
STORM WARNINGS AND WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES /WWUS46 KPDT
PDXWSWPDT/ FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY
SNOW SATURDAY
NORTHWEST BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON, GRANDE RONDE VALLEY,
WALLOWA COUNTY, NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, SOUTHERN
BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, EAST SLOPES OF THE WASHINGTON AND
OREGON CASCADES, SIMCOE HIGHLANDS
STRONG WIND SATURDAY
EAST SLOPES OF THE WASHINGTON CASCADES, SIMCOE HIGHLANDS,
EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF WASHINGTON, YAKIMA VALLEY,
LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF WASHINGTON, FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE
MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON, EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF
OREGON, NORTH CENTRAL OREGON, EAST SLOPES OF THE OREGON
CASCADES, LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON, FOOTHILLS OF THE
NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, FOOTHILLS OF THE SOUTHERN
BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, JOHN DAY BASIN, OCHOCO-JOHN DAY
HIGHLANDS
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS FOR THE INCOMING WINTER STORM WILL
OCCUR SATURDAY AND SATURDAY EVENING BEFORE DIMINISHING OVERNIGHT.
PLEASE REFER TO THE WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS.
THE STORM TRACK WILL REMAIN AIMED AT THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST FOR THE
REMAINDER OF THE PERIOD. STORMS WILL CONTINUE TO CROSS EVERY 36 TO
48 HOURS WITH VARYING LEVELS OF IMPACT. PRIMARILY EXPECT STORMS TO
BRING SNOW LEVELS AROUND 2500 TO 3500 FEET THOUGH THE PACE OF THE
CROSSING STORMS MAY LIMIT POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW
ACCUMULATION. ALSO EXPECT PERIODS OF BREEZY TO WINDY CONDITIONS.
.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/PDT/CURRENTHAZARDS/HWO.HTML
ALL LETTERS IN THE ABOVE URL ARE LOWER CASE.The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
4 high wind, 1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oregon in 2012Every state in 2012This day in weather historyWarnings in Oregon, February 2012
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: 359768, 359764, 359765, 359766, 359767.