>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

IF IT SNOWS, THEY WILL STILL COME: The weather’s going to have to do a little better than a few snowflakes and some frigid winds if it wants to keep these truly dedicated fans from from their appointed rounds. From left, Pink Blanquet, Leslie Hasse, Jennifer Kotz and Mark and Lynn Brown faithfully weather a mid-winter-like squall as they cheer on their La Grande High School girls softball team at the LDS field in Island City Friday afternoon. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

The storm fronts dumping snow on the Oregon Coast Range, the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascades are also affecting Northeast Oregon.

Hazardous conditions in Ladd Canyon closed eastbound lanes of Interstate 84 at Exit 265 Friday evening, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

As of 7 a.m. today, the interstate was open, with hard-falling snow reported at Meacham, flurries on Cabbage Hill and packed snow in Ladd Canyon.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Northern Blue Mountains, in effect until 3 p.m.

The next round of weather is forecasted to drop another 2 to 5 inches in the mountains, with total storm accumulations by this afternoon projected to be 6 to 11 inches.

Heaviest snowfall should be north of Meacham. Sustained winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour, with the possibility of stronger gusts, may whip up and drift snow.

At 5:30 this morning, the Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort in the Elkhorns was reporting 8 inches of new snow, bringing its base to an impressive 100 inches.

Travelers are urged to exercise caution on the roads, and stay tuned to ODOT’s www.tripcheck.com for the latest highway conditions.

But there is good news. The long-range forecast sees temperatures back to the normal of 53 degrees daytime highs by Thursday and to a balmy 59 by Friday.