Blizzard in Oregon
Every blizzard event the National Weather Service has filed in Oregon, year by year, with the most significant episodes. 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.
The most significant on the map
The most significant blizzard episodes in Oregon.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The record
- Events
- 36
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Damage
- $220,000
Every year
The most significant
Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.
- Blizzard and Ice Storm in Oregon, January 11 to 13, 2024A very strong arctic front moved across Western Washington and Oregon on the 12th and 13th dropping temperatures below freezing.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Oregon, December 20 to 22, 2008The third in a series of an unusually cold storm systems brought heavy snow accumulations to northwest Oregon. The heavy snowfall created a significant impact to many communities across northwest Oregon.
- Blizzard and Ice Storm in Oregon, February 11 to 15, 2021This was a major, widespread, multi-faceted winter storm that caused major problems across the northern 2/3 of our forecast area, even (and especially) in the lowlands. Impacts were felt as far south as Albany. WFO Portland measured 10.1 of snow, followed by roughly 0.75 of ice.
- Blizzard in Oregon, November 28, 2001A blizzard struck Wallowa County during the morning. A wind gust of 64 mph was recorded at 10:30 am 3 miles north of Joseph. 20 large trees were downed a Wallowa Lake State Park, which is 7 mile north of Joseph. One tree fell across a summer cabin, causing extensive damage.
- Blizzard in Oregon, December 12 to 13, 2001A blizzard struck the Grande Ronde Valley, closing roads, schools and several businesses. Interstate 84 was closed from Ontario from Pendleton for 15 hours beginning at 10 pm on the 12th.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Oregon, January 6 to 10, 2024A strong cold front swept across the Pacific Northwest on the 8th, ushering in much colder air. Strong and deep onshore flow in this cold air mass led to periods of heavy snow, strong winds for the Cascades, with snow for the lowlands.
- Blizzard and Winter Storm in Oregon, January 6 to 9, 2004A strong winter storm packing the powerful punch of a frigid arctic airmass, heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain, along with strong east winds through and near the Columbia River Gorge snarled travel, forced the closure of most schools and businesses, and resulted in widespread…
- Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, December 5, 2001All of the above reports verify either a Heavy Snow Warning or a Blizzard Warning. Unfortunately, the only warning issued was a Heavy Snow Warning for ORZ027 (Cascades of Douglas, Northwest Klamath, and Northeast Jackson counties).
- Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, December 20 to 22, 2008A Pacific storm system brought warm advection heavy snowfall across the area. Snowfall amounts in inches included 3 miles west of The Dalles(9), 2 miles east southeast of The Dalles(4), Camp Sherman(8), Maupin(7), 3 miles north northeast of Sisters(5.5), 3 miles south of…
- Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, January 27 to 28, 2008Yet another winter storm brought another round of heavy snow to Northern California and Southern Oregon. The snow level dropped to sea level during this event...bringing snow to areas that rarely get any snow.
- Blizzard and Avalanche in Oregon, January 6 to 8, 2008A cold front brought plenty of wind and snow to the mountains of Southern Oregon. A Blizzard Warning was issued for Oregon zones ORZ027/028 at 07/1558 PST, effective from 07/2200 until 08/2200 PST.
- Blizzard and Ice Storm in Oregon, January 17 to 19, 2017A major winter storm brought significant snow and ice to the region. Also the Grande Ronde valley experienced high winds and blizzard conditions.
- Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, December 20 to 23, 2012A 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.
- Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, January 1, 2004An extraordinary winter storm struck Oregon and Northern California on January 1, 2004. A multitude of warnings and advisories were issued to cover this event. The Oregon warnings are summarized below.
- Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, December 15, 2006A strong storm brought winter weather to the Cascades, dropping in excess of a foot of snow in some areas. This storm also had very strong winds, and produced blizzard conditions in some areas, including on Mt. Hood.
- Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, November 26 to 27, 2019A major winter storm caused by a rapidly deepening bomb cyclone brought heavy snow and high winds to the area, creating blizzard-like conditions at times.
- Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, November 30, 2010Moisture streaming northeast across the area combined with a tight surface pressure gradient produced blizzard conditions in the Grande Ronde Valley. Visibility was 300 yards with roads drifted shut in the Island City, Cove, Union, and Ladd Canyon areas.
- Blizzard and Heavy Snow in Oregon, December 27 to 28, 2007A vigorous Pacific storm system brought heavy snowfall to central Oregon and the Blue Mountains. Blizzard conditions were observed in the Grande Ronde Valley which closed Interstate 84 for several hours.
- Blizzard in Oregon, December 26 to 28, 2008A warm advection pattern brought heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions to the Blue Mountains and Grande Ronde Valley. Snowfall amounts in inches included Tollgate(10), 10 miles north of Elgin(7).
- Blizzard in Oregon, December 12 to 14, 2008A strong winter storm brought heavy snow and high winds to the area which caused blizzard conditions in the Oregon Cascades.
- Blizzard in Oregon, November 28, 2001A Blizzard Warning was issued for ORZ031 at 0336 PST on 11/28/01 and cancelled at 2252 PST on 11/28/01. The above observation comes close to verifying the warning, but no visibility information was given. Still, it was a pretty lousy day in this area.
- Blizzard in Oregon, January 6, 2004A tight pressure gradient developed across the Grande Ronde Valley resulting in blizzard conditions. At 440 PM, interstate 84 was closed at Ladd Canyon due to near zero visibility, with sustained winds of 35-45 MPH and gusts between 45-60 MPH.
- Blizzard in Oregon, January 3, 2008Multiple storm systems contributed to a historic heavy snow event over Northern California from 01/03 to 01/05/08. While the brunt of the storm hit central and northern California, some severe winter weather occurred in Southwest Oregon as well.
- Blizzard in Oregon, February 6 to 7, 2014Preceding cold Arctic Air combined with a moist storm and strong East winds resulted in Blizzard conditions for the Western Columbia River Gorge.
- Blizzard in Oregon, December 1, 2019Localized blizzard conditions in the Grande Ronde Valley on 12/1/19 due to Strong winds of 50-55 mph and falling/Blowing snow.
More
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.