Northern Blue Mountains hit with up to 30 inches of snow

The National Weather Service office in Pendleton issued a winter storm warning for the northern Blue Mountains, including Tollgate and Meacham, as a powerful system moved through Jan. 6–8. Forecasters warned of 12 to 30 inches of snow at higher elevations and wind gusts up to 45 mph, with the heaviest snow expected the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 6 and snowfall rates of 1 to 4 inches per hour possible.

Most of the extreme accumulation was confined to the high country in the northern Blues. Lower elevation communities in Union County fared far better: La Grande and Baker City were forecast to see less than 1 inch of accumulation, keeping main valley corridors largely passable. Cooler, drier weather followed later in the week, ending the immediate threat.

For residents of Tollgate, Meacham and other mountain neighborhoods, the combination of deep snow and strong winds raised familiar risks for rural communities: hazardous travel, delayed supply deliveries, and the possibility of downed branches and power lines. Even when power stays on, heavy snow can isolate homes on narrow county roads or forest service routes, stretching the capacity of plows and emergency responders.

Public health concerns in events like this are not evenly distributed. Older adults, people with mobility or chronic health conditions, and low-income households that lack robust heating or backup power are more likely to experience adverse effects from prolonged cold or outages. Residents who rely on home oxygen, medication refrigeration, or medical appointments can face disruptions if roads are impassable.

The storm also has policy implications for Union County. Repeated heavy snow in the Blues underlines the need to prioritize cleared access for mountain hamlets, maintain mutual aid agreements for power and road crews, and invest in outreach to isolated residents before storms arrive. Local emergency planning that centers equity — identifying households that need welfare checks, transport for medical needs, or centralized warming shelters — can reduce harm when winter systems strike.

For everyday readers, the takeaway is practical: mountain conditions can change rapidly, and valley forecasts do not always reflect the northern Blues. Check on neighbors in hilltop and forest communities, avoid nonessential travel during heavy snowfall, and keep a winter kit and charged phones on hand.

Our two cents? If you have friends or family up in Tollgate or Meacham, give them a call and make a plan for staying warm and connected until roads and services are fully restored.