Dust Storm — Foothills of the Blue Mountains, Oregon

2010-05-03 · Foothills of the Blue Mountains, Oregon

Wider weather episode

A tight pressure gradient combined with a cold frontal passage to produce widespread high winds and damage. Blowing dust in the Columbia Basin reduced visibility to near zero around Stanfield, Pendleton, and between Lexington and Hermiston. The blowing dust caused traffic accidents with an injury near Stanfield on Interstate 84. Peak wind gusts in mph included 13 miles west southwest of Mikkalo (58), 5 miles south southeast of Mikkalo (59), North Pole Ridge RAWS (65), Pendleton Airport (61), 10 miles north northeast of Pendleton (58), and Helix (60). Sustained winds of at least 40 mph were reported at 5 miles south southeast of Mikkalo. Downed trees were observed 1 mile south of Stanfield, Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, 4 miles south of Bend, 12 miles south of Maupin, and Wasco. A tree in the Bend area fell on a house and caused signficant structural damage. Also in the Bend area, downed power lines caused small fires.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 222144. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.