Heavy Snow — Ochoco-john Day Highlands, Oregon

2021-02-26 to 2021-02-27 · Ochoco-john Day Highlands, Oregon

Event narrative

A trained spotter 9 miles NW of Seneca, OR reported 9.2 inches of snowfall in a 24 hour period ending at 7am PST on Feb. 27th. The Lake Creek R.S. Snotel 18 miles ENE of Seneca reported 6 inches of snowfall at 733pm PST on Feb. 26th.

Wider weather episode

A shortwave trough coupled with surface cold front swept across the forecast area on Feb. 25th, producing an initial surge in snowfall across the region with breezy to gusty winds developing behind the frontal passage. Behind this system, persistent northwest flow aloft reinforced by a series of shortwaves produced additional snowfall across the forecast area through the morning of Feb. 27th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 938522. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.