Hail in Oregon, May 4, 2017

Name: Hail in Oregon, May 4, 2017
Start: 2017-05-04T21:20
End: 2017-05-04T22:20
Location: Oregon

May 4, 2017 · NWS PDT · 7 events in 2 counties and zones

A severe thunderstorm event occurred during the evening of May 4th. The event began in north-central Oregon and moved into south-central Washington.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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 PDT wrote it up.

A severe thunderstorm event occurred during the evening of May 4th. The event began in north-central Oregon and moved into south-central Washington. Initially the storms were strong but not severe. Severe storms developed in southern Benton county, in Washington, mid evening. A second round of severe storms moved into central Oregon late in the evening.

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 Pendleton, OR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 4, 6:30 PM PST, 2 hours 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 4, 6:30 PM PST, 2 hours 50 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
730 PM PDT Thu May 4 2017

.SHORT TERM...An upper level ridge over the region is in the process
of breaking down and allowing an upper level trough to move into the
region. The result is an active thunderstorm pattern impacting
mainly the western portion of the forecast area this evening and
overnight. A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for part of
the forecast area until 11pm. So far reports have been of brief
heavy rain and small hail. The potential for showers and
thunderstorms will slowly move east overnight and then shift to the
eastern portion of the forecast area on Friday as a cold front
pushes across the area. Temperatures will be cooler on Friday and
there will be some breezy westerly winds developing.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 457 PM PDT Thu May 4 2017/

SHORT TERM...Today Through Sunday...An upper level ridge
shifted into ID this morning. Moist south to southwest flow will
persist over WA and OR through Saturday. Cumulus clouds have
developed over the Deschutes Plateau, Ochoco John Day Highlands, and
Grant County. Instability will increase sharply along the Cascades
and western third of the CWA this afternoon and evening as an upper
level trough approaches the coast. Scattered thunderstorms have
already developed in western OR. Multiple waves in the unstable air
ahead of the trough will trigger thunderstorms tonight and Friday
with the strongest storms tonight near the OR Cascades. SPC has the
Deschutes Plateau, Columbia River Gorge, and southern tip of
Klickitat County in slight risk area for severe weather. Cloud cover
and warm southerly flow in the warm sector of the approaching front
will keep overnight lows in the 50s and low 60s.

The cold front will move through WA and OR Friday with much colder
temperatures, decreasing showers in typically rain shadowed areas,
and windy conditions, particularly in the Kittitas Valley and
Columbia River Gorge. Thunderstorms may occur in areas ahead of the
front. The Kittitas Valley and Columbia River Gorge will be near
wind advisory criteria Friday afternoon. Showers will continue in
the northeast OR mountains Friday night and Saturday. Snow levels
will drop from 7000-10000 FT Friday afternoon to 2500-5000 FT
Saturday. The upper level trough will split Saturday with some
energy dropping into CA and some remaining in eastern WA and OR.
This may keep a few showers in the mountains Saturday night and
Sunday. Temperatures will be significantly colder over the weekend.
Coonfield

LONG TERM...Sunday Night through Thursday...A large and splitting
upper level trough will be over the western states Sunday night. A
closed low will be over Southern California and Nevada while a
northern branch of the trough will be in Southern Canada and
Washington. Aside from a few lingering evening showers in Wallowa
county, it should be a dry night with clearing skies. Offshore
ridging will build Monday over the area and remain through Tuesday
night. Dry conditions and mostly clear skies will continue through
this period. On Wednesday, models show an upper low and trough
approaching the coast and pushing the ridge to our east. There are
considerable timing differences with the GFS having the trough move
into the area Wednesday afternoon through Thursday while the ECMWF
doesn't bring into the area until Thursday morning. The Canadian
model brings it into the area Wednesday evening but confines showers
to the mountains. For now on Wednesday, have a chance of rain
showers along the Cascades and a slight chance of the rest of the
area. Have a chance of showers across the area except for a slight
chance of showers in parts of the Columbia Basin Wednesday night and
Thursday. Temperatures will be in the lower to mid 70s with 60s in
the mountains. Lows will be in the mid 40s to mid 50s with 30s and
lower 40s in the mountains. Perry

AVIATION...00Z TAFs...A trough is approaching the Pacific Northwest
coast and a moist southwesterly flow over the area. An unstable
atmosphere is generating scattered showers and thunderstorms west of
the Cascades and will move into the area in the next hour or two.
Thunderstorms will be possible in the western half of the area this
evening then from the Blue Mountain foothills westward overnight.
Have tried to pinpoint the likeliest times for thunderstorms in the
TAFs but with instability continuing through the night and several
disturbances in the flow, showers and thunderstorms will be possible
through early tomorrow morning. After 12Z, thunderstorms will end at
KRDM, KBDN, KDLS and KYKM. They will continue at KPSC, KALW and KPDT
through 15-18Z. A front will move through during the morning and
conditions will stabilize and showers will taper off. Behind the
front, winds will pick up to 10 to 20 kts with gusts to 30 kts after
18Z. KDLS will reach 15 to 25 kts with gusts to 35 kts. Perry

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
PDT  58  66  43  59 /  30  60  40  20
ALW  63  70  47  62 /  30  60  40  40
PSC  60  75  47  67 /  60  40  20  10
YKM  60  73  42  66 /  70  60  10  10
HRI  61  70  45  65 /  50  40  30  10
ELN  59  65  41  61 /  70  60  10  10
RDM  53  61  29  54 /  70  60  40  10
LGD  59  71  44  53 /  20  70  70  40
GCD  54  72  40  53 /  30  60  50  30
DLS  62  64  44  65 /  70  60  20  10

&&

.PDT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...None.
WA...None.
&&

91/91/91

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 4, 6:29 PM PST, 2 hours 51 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
729 PM PDT THU MAY 4 2017

ORZ510-511-050330-
North Central Oregon OR-Central Oregon OR-
729 PM PDT THU MAY 4 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND
SOUTHEASTERN WASCO COUNTIES UNTIL 830 PM PDT...

At 728 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Willowdale, or 10 miles northeast of Madras, moving northeast at 20
mph.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Antelope, Shaniko, Willowdale and Gateway.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 1100 PM PDT for
central and northwestern Oregon. A severe thunderstorm watch also
remains in effect until 1100 PM PDT for central and northwestern
Oregon.

LAT...LON 4509 12090 4496 12057 4495 12059 4490 12057
      4486 12058 4485 12061 4483 12061 4471 12080
      4473 12084 4472 12087 4466 12088 4462 12093
      4475 12111
TIME...MOT...LOC 0228Z 216DEG 19KT 4473 12097

GP

Special weather statement, May 4, 6:56 PM PST, 2 hours 24 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
756 PM PDT THU MAY 4 2017

ORZ044-WAZ028-050400-
Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon OR-
Lower Columbia Basin of Washington WA-
756 PM PDT THU MAY 4 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL MORROW...
SOUTHEASTERN BENTON...WEST CENTRAL WALLA WALLA AND SOUTHWESTERN
FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 900 PM PDT...

At 754 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Plymouth, or 11 miles north of Hermiston, moving northeast at 30 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Hermiston, Boardman, Umatilla, Irrigon,
West Pasco, Plymouth, Badger, Burbank, Island View, Paterson,
Eltopia, Finley and Highland.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Brief torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may
lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through
flooded roadways.

&&

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 1100 PM PDT for
south central Washington.

LAT...LON 4586 11924 4584 11968 4653 11918 4635 11871
TIME...MOT...LOC 0254Z 205DEG 28KT 4600 11938

GKH

Local storm report, May 4, 7:22 PM PST, 1 hour 58 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
822 PM PDT THU MAY 04 2017

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

0800 PM     HEAVY RAIN       3 SSE WHITE SWAN        46.35N 120.71W
05/04/2017  M0.63 INCH       YAKIMA             WA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            THUNDERSTORM WITH SMALL PEA SIZED HAIL AND HEAVY RAIN
            PRODUCED 0.63 INCH PRECIPITATION.

&&

AA

Special weather statement, May 4, 7:44 PM PST, 1 hour 36 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
844 PM PDT THU MAY 4 2017

WAZ024-027-028-521-050430-
Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Washington WA-Simcoe Highlands WA-
Lower Columbia Basin of Washington WA-Yakima Valley WA-
844 PM PDT THU MAY 4 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN BENTON...NORTHEASTERN
KLICKITAT AND SOUTHEASTERN YAKIMA COUNTIES UNTIL 930 PM PDT...

At 843 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Prosser, moving northeast at 35 mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Richland, Prosser, West Richland, Grandview, Benton City, Alderdale
and Hanford Reservation.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 1100 PM PDT for
northeastern Oregon...and south central Washington. A severe
thunderstorm watch also remains in effect until 1100 PM PDT for
northeastern Oregon...and south central Washington.

LAT...LON 4653 11919 4585 11970 4583 11995 4579 12007
      4654 11985
TIME...MOT...LOC 0343Z 206DEG 31KT 4612 11976

MJM

Special weather statement, May 4, 8:12 PM PST, 1 hour 8 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pendleton OR
912 PM PDT THU MAY 4 2017

ORZ509-050515-
East Slopes of the Oregon Cascades OR-
912 PM PDT THU MAY 4 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN DESCHUTES COUNTY
UNTIL 1015 PM PDT...

At 911 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles northeast of Odell Lake, or 18 miles west of La Pine, moving
northeast at 25 mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern
Deschutes County.

LAT...LON 4363 12198 4374 12198 4377 12196 4386 12197
      4392 12192 4391 12187 4396 12186 4400 12182
      4404 12183 4409 12177 4386 12148 4361 12168
      4362 12200
TIME...MOT...LOC 0411Z 216DEG 20KT 4366 12187

JS

Local storm report, May 4, 9:11 PM PST, 9 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
1011 PM PDT THU MAY 04 2017

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

0930 PM     HAIL             WEST RICHLAND           46.32N 119.40W
05/04/2017  E1.00 INCH       BENTON             WA   PUBLIC

            SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT VIA NBC TRI-CITIES. TIME IS RADAR
            ESTIMATED.

&&

MMURPHY

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Deschutes

When: May 4, 9:20 PM PST to 9:40 PM PST
Where: Deschutes County, Bend
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 44.070, -121.300

Measure 2 inch hail occurred in northwest Bend in Deschutes county.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 4, 9:40 PM PST to 10:00 PM PST
Where: Jefferson County, 5.61 mi S of Culver Chinook Arpt
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.440, -121.300

Estimated 1.75 inch hail occurred at Crooked River Ranch, 9 miles NW of Terrebonne in Jefferson county.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 4, 9:40 PM PST to 10:00 PM PST
Where: Jefferson County, 5.06 mi SSE of Culver Chinook Arpt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.450, -121.290

Measured 1.00 inch hail occurred northwest of Terrebonne in Jefferson county.

Hail, Deschutes

When: May 4, 9:55 PM PST to 10:05 PM PST
Where: Deschutes County, 1.7 mi NW of Cloverdale
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.290, -121.490

Measured 2.00 inch hail occurred 3 miles E of Sisters in Deschutes county. Report was from a public post on television station KTVZ Facebook page.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 4, 10:05 PM PST to 10:20 PM PST
Where: Jefferson County, Madras
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.630, -121.130

Measured 1.75 inch hail occurred at Madras in Jefferson county. Report from public post on NWS Pendleton Facebook page.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 4, 10:05 PM PST to 10:20 PM PST
Where: Jefferson County, 4.17 mi S of Culver Chinook Arpt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.460, -121.310

Estimated 1.00 inch hail occurred 11 miles NW of Terrebonne in Jefferson county.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 4, 10:05 PM PST to 10:20 PM PST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.95 mi W of Madras
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.630, -121.190

Measured 1.50 inch hail occurred 3 miles W of Madras in Jefferson county.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Oregon in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in Oregon, May 2017

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: 701554, 701558, 701559, 701563, 701565, 701568, 701570.