Hail — Umatilla, Oregon

2022-05-06 · near Sparks, Umatilla, Oregon

Event narrative

Public reports about 10 miles south of Pendleton, OR reported a thunderstorm that was producing hail between the sizes of 1 inch to 1.25 inches between 1700 PST and 1730 PST.

Wider weather episode

A potent upper level shortwave trough coupled with a cold front passage at the surface provided showery activity through most of the day. During the afternoon, these systems interacted with increasing instability, strong bulk shear, and upsloping into mountain areas allowed some of these showers to strengthen into strong thunderstorms that produced severe hail and a tornado.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (45.5400, -118.8200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1031495. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.