Snow arrives in the Columbia Basin

By on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

UPDATE: The winter storm advisory has been upgraded to a winter storm warning for the foothills of the northern Blue Mountains of Oregon and southern Blue Mountains of Washington. That includes the cities of Athena, Pendleton, Waitsburg, Walla Walla, Pilot Rock and Dayton. Hermiston and northern Morrow County are not included in the warning.

The warning is in effect until 10 a.m. Wednesday. Accumulations of three to five inches are expected. There will be periods of moderate to heavy snow that could impact traffic. A lull is expected from this morning (Tuesday) to about 4 this afternoon. That will be followed by moderate snow with rates as high as an inch per hour late this afternoon and evening.

People are advised to consider delaying all travel. If you must travel, drive with extreme caution. Pack a winter storm kit including tire chains, booster cables, flashlights, shovels, blankets, water, a first-aid kit and extra clothing.

POSTED EARLIER:

PENDLETON โ€“ A dry January gave way to wet weather Monday as a stationary front in southern Oregon is pivoting to the north by northwest. The result is a winter weather advisory for much of the Columbia Basin through tomorrow.

โ€œItโ€™s been draped over northwest California and southern Oregon just producing lots of snow and precipitation down there,โ€ National Weather Service Meteorologist Camden Plunkett said.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Wallowa County and a winter weather advisory for much of the Columbia Basin. The advisory includes the cities of Dayton, Walla Walla, Ukiah, Heppner, Dayville, Pendleton, Waitsburg, John Day, Pilot Rock, Meacham, Long Creek, Tollgate, Condon, Athena and Fossil. It does not include Hermiston, Umatilla, and northern Morrow County.

The advisory forecasts that total snow accumulations will range between two and six inches by Wednesday morning.  In the warning area of Wallowa County, accumulations are expected to be between four and eight inches. Forecasters caution that travel could be difficult, especially during periods of moderate to heavy snow.