Heavy Snow in Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Oregon

The Cocorahs station OR-UM-11 measured 4.2 inches of new snow over a 24 hour period ending at 0700 PST on Dec. 30th. The NWS office Pendleton measured 5.1 inches of new snow in a 24 hour period ending at 1000 PST on Dec. 30th. A member of the public in Athena, OR reported 6 inches of new snow measured at 1000 PST. Via a social media report from Thorn Hollow, OR, 11 inches of new snow was measured at 0858 PST on Dec. 31st. A trained spotter 4 miles ESE of Pilot Rock, OR measured 5.5 inches of new snow at 1026 PST on Dec. 31st.

A strong upper level shortwave with a modified arctic cold front brought moderate to heavy snow showers across the Cascades, Blues, and Wallowas, with moderate to heavy snow being observed along the Blue Mountain foothills, and in valley locations across the northeast Oregon mountains.