Heavy Snow — Central Oregon, Oregon

2025-03-16 · Central Oregon, Oregon

Event narrative

The Cocorahs station OR-DS-17, that is 2.3 miles west northwest of Bend, reported a storm total snow amount of 6 inches at 0700 PDT on March 17th, with estimated end of snowfall between 1815 PDT to 1900 PDT on March 16th. The Cocorahs station OR-DS-44, that is 3.5 miles east southeast of Bend, reported a storm total snow amount of 4.3 inches at 0700 PDT on March 17th, with estimated end of snowfall between 1815 PDT to 1900 PDT.

Wider weather episode

An upper level trough and surface cold front passage enhanced by an atmospheric river produced bands of moderate to heavy snowfall across portions of our mountain zones within the atmospheric river path through the weekend. Ahead of the trough passage, an area of enhanced lift developed over central Oregon, resulting in heavy snowfall occurring the afternoon the 16th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1249231. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.