Meager snowpack could get a boost
By Terry Murry on Thursday, December 18th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The snowpack throughout Oregon is below 50 percent of normal across the state. The latest figures show the Umatilla-Walla Walla-Willow region to have a measly eight percent of normal. Grande Ronde-Burnt River-Powder-Imnaha measures 19 percent.
That could begin to change today (Thursday). The National Weather Service has a winter weather advisory out for the northern Blue Mountains of Oregon and the northwest Blue Mountains of Washington including the cities of Meacham, Tollgate, and the Ski Bluewood Resort. The advisory expires at 4 p.m. today.
Snow is expected with accumulations between three to seven inches. There is also a chance of freezing rain up to a tenth of an inch today.
Motorists are cautioned to plan on winter driving conditions. Periods of moderate to heavy snowfall and strong winds can reduce visibility along Interstate 84 and Highway 82.
Map via the Natural Resources Conservation Service
