Winter Storm in Northern Blue Mountains, Oregon

A Cocorahs observer 9.8 miles north of Elgin measured 13 inches of new snow in a 24 hour period ending at 0735 PST on Jan 10th. A public report from the Tollgate Store in Tollgate indicated 13 inches of new snow fell in a 4 hour period, in which during this time blizzard conditions were also reported in Tollgate. The Oregon Department of Transportation also closed down Interstate 84 between Pendleton and La Grande for over 3 hours due to blowing and drifting snow as well as multiple vehicle spin outs the morning of Jan. 10th.

A strong cold front followed by an upper low passage brought blizzard conditions to area mountains with heavy snow having been reported across the mountains and lower elevation areas as well. The cold front passage also produced strong winds across the area Jan 9th, with areas of the foothills of the Blue Mountains of Oregon and the lower Columbia Basin of Washington reaching warning criteria.