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On This Day In History...Major Weather Events in the PNW or West


snow_wizard

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I don't know, I'd wager that the lows are fairly close to accurate. A high of -29 does seem pretty extreme, although a high of -10 at Spokane would probably support highs around -20 for Missoula. That airmass really was pretty off-the-charts from the looks of it.

 

I definitely want to believe those numbers, knowing how extreme that cold wave was. I'm just a little concerned about station siting vs. the modern Missoula station thread, if we're to make an accurate comparison to what we know today as Missoula. The official Missoula record (1893-) doesn't show anything below -13/-33. Those numbers are hard to reconcile with -29/-42, especially since Montana saw plenty of major cold waves between the 1890's and 1990's. They've only really dropped off in the last 20 years or so...no readings below -23 so far this century. BTW that -29 is a 2pm reading. Still implies an afternoon max in the -20's, which would be off the charts for that area. Again, I do think it's possible that those 1888 readings are valid. I just like to play devil's advocate when it comes to old, unofficial readings. 

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6 years ago on this date I had 5.38” of rain fall, this fell on top of 26” of snow depth which had about 4.5” of snow/water equivalent. The result was massive small stream flooding in the Central Willamette Valley. 4.02” of rain fell at Corvallis. The communities of Turner, parts of South Salem, and Albany experiences the worst flooding. In Albany two people drown when their car was swept away in a grocery store parking lot when a small stream over flowed its banks. There was not widespread mainstem river flooding, but the Willamette did crest above flood stage at Salem and Albany.

The creek in my backyard in West Salem came within a foot of coming over it's banks during this event. never been even close to this level prior or since, in the 15 years we have lived there. Neighbors said it was highest since they were there, including 1996.

 

Damage to the Winter Street bridge, near Salem Hospital, forced it to close over a year for rebuilding.  We had a vehicle in a shop for repairs down near the airport. They called to tell us they put it up on the lift as Pringle Creek was flowing all around the property.

 

Schools closed early all over town because there were worries that the bridges around town would be impassable.

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The creek in my backyard in West Salem came within a foot of coming over it's banks during this event. never been even close to this level prior or since, in the 15 years we have lived there. Neighbors said it was highest since they were there, including 1996.

 

Damage to the Winter Street bridge, near Salem Hospital, forced it to close over a year for rebuilding.  We had a vehicle in a shop for repairs down near the airport. They called to tell us they put it up on the lift as Pringle Creek was flowing all around the property.

 

Schools closed early all over town because there were worries that the bridges around town would be impassable.

 

I had a 3 day precip total of close to 10.27".  On the 17th I received 21" of snow, with a daily high/low of 32/29 so it was extremely wet and melted down to 2.93" of water. Then the 5.38" of rain on the 18th and another 1.96" of rain on the 19th. For the month I had just under 20" of precip. 

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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Proof that the 4th of July in 1910 was a beautiful day in North Bend. Actually I looked it up and it was 81 degrees here on 7/4/1910. Seems way too warm to be wearing these clothes!   It had been basically summer-like since April 15th in 1910... that was an absolutely gorgeous spring and early summer.   These people had already experienced almost 3 months of summer before this picture was taken.  :)

 

For those familiar with Mt Si... it sure does look bare. I believe it was logged and then there was a massive fire in the Snoqualmie Valley in 1913. They really mismanaged things back then.

 

200373464.jpg

 

 

And here is a later photo looking south towards Rattlesnake Ridge which is completely mangled. Our house would on the left side of this pic on the side of the ridge. I would say it looks infinitely more scenic today!

 

200373511.jpg

 

 

 

Here is a recent picture of the same basic view from the second picture above... much improved although still recovering.  

 

25626177_1541713849230151_73609544702977

**REPORTED CONDITIONS AND ANOMALIES ARE NOT MEANT TO IMPLY ANYTHING ON A REGIONAL LEVEL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED**

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Here is a recent picture of the same basic view from the second picture above... much improved although still recovering.  

 

25626177_1541713849230151_73609544702977

 

Is that land public or privately owned? If it is in private hands there is a good chance it will be logged again sometime in the next two decades. Looking at the picture from recent times I would guess it has been logged since those pictures from 1910. Probably in the 70s. 

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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Is that land public or privately owned? If it is in private hands there is a good chance it will be logged again sometime in the next two decades. Looking at the picture from recent times I would guess it has been logged since those pictures from 1910. Probably in the 70s.

That second picture definitely isn’t 1910. Those cars look like 1930s or 40s models.

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That second picture definitely isn’t 1910. Those cars look like 1930s or 40s models.

 

You are right...It was probably logged in the 80s.

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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You are right...It was probably logged in the 80s.

I think Rattlesnake ridge might be state land. At any rate it is part of the Mountains to Sound scenic corridor now, so it’s unlikely there will be any large scale logging up there until at least Trump’s third or fourth term when he abolishes all environmental protections on public land. I also think there is a pretty extensive trail system up there these days.

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I think Rattlesnake ridge might be state land. At any rate it is part of the Mountains to Sound scenic corridor now, so it’s unlikely there will be any large scale logging up there until at least Trump’s third or fourth term when he abolishes all environmental protections on land. I also think there is a pretty extensive trail system up there these days.

 

That is unfortunate. Probably very valuable timber land. It is incredible how much logging has gone on around here since I moved up here. Timber prices have really recovered well after the recession, they are logging like there is no tomorrow. Doesn't bother me one bit, it grows back, and its not like it is old growth. Now that we should protect. Not some yuppies views at the expense of good blue collar jobs.

 

But enough, let's not hijack a good thread...

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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You are right...It was probably logged in the 80s.

 

You are correct... it was logged again in the early 80s.  

 

Then the Mountains-to-Sound Greenway Trust came and its now protected.  

 

https://mtsgreenway.org/

**REPORTED CONDITIONS AND ANOMALIES ARE NOT MEANT TO IMPLY ANYTHING ON A REGIONAL LEVEL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED**

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That is unfortunate. Probably very valuable timber land. It is incredible how much logging has gone on around here since I moved up here. Timber prices have really recovered well after the recession, they are logging like there is no tomorrow. Doesn't bother me one bit, it grows back, and its not like it is old growth. Now that we should protect. Not some yuppies views at the expense of good blue collar jobs.

 

But enough, let's not hijack a good thread...

I think most of Silver Falls state park is second growth...

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You are correct... it was logged again in the early 80s.  

 

Then the Mountains-to-Sound Greenway Trust came and its now protected.  

 

https://mtsgreenway.org/

 

You have to admit...It is pretty impressive I could guess the general period the area was logged based on the trees from a distant view...At least I am impressed with myself.

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Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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That is unfortunate. Probably very valuable timber land. It is incredible how much logging has gone on around here since I moved up here. Timber prices have really recovered well after the recession, they are logging like there is no tomorrow. Doesn't bother me one bit, it grows back, and its not like it is old growth. Now that we should protect. Not some yuppies views at the expense of good blue collar jobs.

 

But enough, let's not hijack a good thread...

 

I am not against logging in general... its a renewable natural resource.  Particularly around here where it grows back pretty fast.    As long as its managed well of course.

 

But I also love being part of the Mountains-to-Sound Greenway.    

**REPORTED CONDITIONS AND ANOMALIES ARE NOT MEANT TO IMPLY ANYTHING ON A REGIONAL LEVEL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED**

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I think most of Silver Falls state park is second growth...

 

It is. The entire park was logged between 1880-1920. Much of the area also burned in the 1860s, in the "Silverton Fire" which is the largest fire in Oregon history. Its crazy to look at the solid green of the park on Google Earth juxtaposed against the patchwork of farms and clear cuts surrounding it.  

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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You lost points for overlooking the anachronistic cars.

 

Not a big car guy.

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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I am not against logging in general... its a renewable natural resource.  Particularly around here where it grows back pretty fast.    As long as its managed well of course.

 

But I also love being part of the Mountains-to-Sound Greenway.    

 

I don't blame you, and you can pick up freshly logged forest land on the cheap...

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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You have to admit...It is pretty impressive I could guess the general period the area was logged based on the trees from a distant view...At least I am impressed with myself.

 

I took that picture a couple weeks ago... thought the distinct snow line looked cool. 

**REPORTED CONDITIONS AND ANOMALIES ARE NOT MEANT TO IMPLY ANYTHING ON A REGIONAL LEVEL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED**

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In 1886 we were in yet another great event during this time frame.  While the cold wasn't dramatic it was long lasting and there was a lot of snow.  This event kind of gets lost in other mega events of that decade. These numbers are from Tacoma.

 

15. 29/22 ... 5"

16. 29/23

17. 27/22

18. 26/20

19. 20/14 ... 4"

20. 30/23 ... 3"

21. 32/28

22. 28/26 ... 4"

Death To Warm Anomalies!

 

Winter 2023-24 stats

 

Total Snowfall = 1.0"

Day with 1" or more snow depth = 1

Total Hail = 0.0

Total Ice = 0.2

Coldest Low = 13

Lows 32 or below = 45

Highs 32 or below = 3

Lows 20 or below = 3

Highs 40 or below = 9

 

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In 1886 we were in yet another great event during this time frame.  While the cold wasn't dramatic it was long lasting and there was a lot of snow.  This event kind of gets lost in other mega events of that decade.

 

15. 29/22 ... 5"

16. 29/23

17. 27/22

18. 26/20

19. 20/14 ... 4"

20. 30/23 ... 3"

21. 32/28

22. 28/26 ... 4"

 

That is my kind of cold snap... lots of snow and cold enough to keep all the snow with no melting in between.    Too much cold and you get nothing... not enough cold and you get slop.   That is juuuuuuuust right.   :)

**REPORTED CONDITIONS AND ANOMALIES ARE NOT MEANT TO IMPLY ANYTHING ON A REGIONAL LEVEL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED**

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That is my kind of cold snap... lots of snow and cold enough to keep all the snow with no melting in between.    Too much cold and you get nothing... not enough cold and you get slop.   That is juuuuuuuust right.   :)

 

That would be the event of the 21st Century right there...

 

SnowWiz, how did the Puget Sound area do January 15-18, 1954? Seems like it was a massive onshore flow snow fest here...

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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That would be the event of the 21st Century right there...

 

SnowWiz, how did the Puget Sound area do January 15-18, 1954? Seems like it was a massive onshore flow snow fest here...

That was crazy snowy here... the Snoqualmie Falls station in the valley had numerous days at or below freezing with lots of snow.

**REPORTED CONDITIONS AND ANOMALIES ARE NOT MEANT TO IMPLY ANYTHING ON A REGIONAL LEVEL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED**

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Snoqualmie Falls:

 

1/16/54  32/19  

1/17/54  34/24  

1/18/54  32/24    

1/19/54  28/19  

1/20/54  27/17  

1/21/54  32/16  

 

Snow each day... looks like about 20 inches total.  

 

Palmer WA... which is at about 900 feet on the other side of Rattlesnake Ridge... ended up with a peak of 38 inches of snow on the ground on 1/24/54.

**REPORTED CONDITIONS AND ANOMALIES ARE NOT MEANT TO IMPLY ANYTHING ON A REGIONAL LEVEL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED**

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That was crazy snowy here... the Snoqualmie Falls station in the valley had numerous days below freezing with lots of snow.

 

Unfortunately Silver Falls is missing snowfall data from that event, but I know there was decent snow in the Willamette Valley and Silver Falls had over 1" of precip on some of those days with 35/30 type spreads. Also the 34/11 on the 20th hints at snow induced radiational cooling. There is snow data from the period later in the month, including 18" of snow which fell on the 26th. 

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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Unfortunately Silver Falls is missing snowfall data from that event, but I know there was decent snow in the Willamette Valley and Silver Falls had over 1" of precip on some of those days with 35/30 type spreads. Also the 34/11 on the 20th hints at snow induced radiational cooling. There is snow data from the period later in the month, including 18" of snow which fell on the 26th. 

 

Reading about events like this which are almost overlooked in the general awesomeness of the 1950s, but that we would kill for now, is depressing.

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That 18" snowfall from January 1954 is actually the single day record at Silver Falls. #2 being 15" on January 17, 2012 (The day I recorded 21"), and January 29, 2008. I do however, believe the park has seen heavier snow falls, but their snow data is very spotty (There is no data of any kind from January 1950, it just picks up February 1st with a 41" snow depth.), and given when they measure I am sure it is only once a day, it is more a snow depth measurement. For instance the 4 day snowfall total for January 28-31, 2008 adds up to exactly 47" which was the snow depth measured on the 31st...Though obviously it takes much more than 47" of snow to create a depth of 47" when you consider compaction. The same is evident in the snow stats from December 2008. 

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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Reading about events like this which are almost overlooked in the general awesomeness of the 1950s, but that we would kill for now, is depressing.

 

Yeah, you don't hear much talk of January 1954. But even Salem had almost 8" of snow that month. And it wasn't even a cold month at SLE, actually above their long term average. But it seemed like it was much easier for us to pull off snow events in marginal situations back then. 

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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January 1954 was great at Seattle. 20" of snow at Sea-Tac. Max depth reached 10" on the 18th. 

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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That would be the event of the 21st Century right there...

 

SnowWiz, how did the Puget Sound area do January 15-18, 1954? Seems like it was a massive onshore flow snow fest here...

 

It was solidly cold and snowy here. Certainly some Arctic seepage and a good period with snow cover.

Death To Warm Anomalies!

 

Winter 2023-24 stats

 

Total Snowfall = 1.0"

Day with 1" or more snow depth = 1

Total Hail = 0.0

Total Ice = 0.2

Coldest Low = 13

Lows 32 or below = 45

Highs 32 or below = 3

Lows 20 or below = 3

Highs 40 or below = 9

 

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Yeah, you don't hear much talk of January 1954. But even Salem had almost 8" of snow that month. And it wasn't even a cold month at SLE, actually above their long term average. But it seemed like it was much easier for us to pull off snow events in marginal situations back then. 

 

January 1954 wasn't even very marginal. That was an awesome two week pattern, although the good offshore flow cut off just south of Portland. All of Western WA was nailed. It was kind of a slightly dumpier December 2008.

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The 18th-19th is another very active time historically for snowstorms around here. Just wouldn't ever know it from looking at recent decades.

 

The 2012 storm is the lone exception of course. 6-12" fell from Seattle to Olympia with 12-18" falling around Chehalis/Centralia and in the gorge. A major ice event also occurred, with up to 3/4" ice accumulation in parts of the South Sound.

 

A forgotten storm on January 18-19, 1960 buried the region from Salem to Centralia with 6-12", at the tail end of a very solid cold period without a ton of upper level support.

 

A solid snow event for the Portland and Seattle regions on the 19th in 1957 as a major arctic airmass began to strongly seep in.

 

In 1950, after the epic Friday the 13th blizzard and subsequent cold snap, a major pattern shift began on the 18th as the southern jet roared in and brought the warmest air of that month. After a quick burst of snow and sleet on the 18th, a switch to rain and freezing rain occurred.

 

Over NW OR and SW WA, an atmospheric river would stall overhead while the low level offshore flow maintained itself, resulting in the most significant ice storm in PNW history. PDX would measure 1.98" of freezing rain accumulation on the 19th alone, with another 3/4" between the 18th and 20th. Massive amounts of damage occurred and many areas around Portland were without power for up to 10 days following this storm.

 

Heavy snowfalls up and down the I-5 corridor in 1935 amidst one of the more intense low level arctic blasts of the 20th century. That pattern probably deserves its own passage.

 

Another forgotten heavy snowstorm dropped 6-10" around the Portland area on the 18th-19th in 1933.

 

A blizzard and sleetstorm hit the entire region south of Olympia on the 18th and 19th in 1930, the 2nd significant storm in a week. Most of the region between Albany and Centralia had over a foot on the ground by the 19th, with subzero cold following.

 

A major arctic front crossed the region on the 19th in 1927. A rain to snow event occurred around the Portland area with 4-7" falling at the onset of a big time upper level blast. No measurable snow fell south of Corvallis or north of Toledo (shades of 1/10/2017).

 

That mid to late January timeframe from 1927 to 1937 was just unreal around Portland.  In 1937 a backdoor arctic front hit on the 19th, in 1929 there was a modified arctic front on the 19th with a widespread light snowfall associated with it, and more modified arctic airmasses and sizable snow events occurred in 1928 and 1932 during this week. In other words, out of 11 years there only three (1931, 1934, 1936) which lacked significant cold/snow in this January 15-20 window. Over a 70% clip ain't bad for the heart of winter...

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January 1954 wasn't even very marginal. That was an awesome two week pattern, although the good offshore flow cut off just south of Portland. All of Western WA was nailed. It was kind of a slightly dumpier December 2008.

 

What I meant more, was it was marginal for Salem and they still pulled off 7.6" of snow on the month...I looked at Sea-Tac's #'s and they had legit arctic air in place.

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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Heavy snowfalls up and down the I-5 corridor in 1935 amidst one of the more intense low level arctic blasts of the 20th century. That pattern probably deserves its own passage.

 

 

 

January 1935 was incredible in many ways.  After the epic cold wave it had probably the strongest most dramatic warm front ever witnessed here.  Palmer went from a snow depth of 58 inches to bare ground in less than 5 days.  Their temperature skyrocketed from 8 to 50 in a matter of a few hours.

 

Another event that happened in this time frame was 1943.

Death To Warm Anomalies!

 

Winter 2023-24 stats

 

Total Snowfall = 1.0"

Day with 1" or more snow depth = 1

Total Hail = 0.0

Total Ice = 0.2

Coldest Low = 13

Lows 32 or below = 45

Highs 32 or below = 3

Lows 20 or below = 3

Highs 40 or below = 9

 

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That ~Jan. 20th window used to be great for us historically, but it has been almost completely dormant since 1962. We're long overdue for something great to happen between about the 18th-22nd. 

 

Speaking of Jan. 1962, what an amazingly amplified pattern. A record breaking ridge punched into Alaska, delivering an all-time record barometric pressure to Anchorage on the 18th (31.10"). On the backside, a ridiculous upper-level cold trough dug SW off California, delivering 534 heights offshore of Tijuana (in excess of -5 sd's). Snow fell in the San Francisco Bay area and Roseburg fell to -1 on the 22nd, an all-time record low. 

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On this date in 1930, Salem pulled off a 25/19 day with 5" of snow. It was their 10th consecutive sub-freezing high, in what is the coldest month on record at SLE. For SLE it actually isn't even close, January 1930 was 2.1F colder than January 1949 and 2.2F colder than January 1950. I have seen pictures of the ice and snow build up at Silver Falls from that month that are absolutely incredible. The waterfalls were pretty much completely frozen. Records did not begin at Silver Falls, but it would be a fair guess that January 1930 had an average monthly temp around 22-23F. 

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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That ~Jan. 20th window used to be great for us historically, but it has been almost completely dormant since 1962. We're long overdue for something great to happen between about the 18th-22nd. 

 

Speaking of Jan. 1962, what an amazingly amplified pattern. A record breaking ridge punched into Alaska, delivering an all-time record barometric pressure to Anchorage on the 18th (31.10"). On the backside, a ridiculous upper-level cold trough dug SW off California, delivering 534 heights offshore of Tijuana (in excess of -5 sd's). Snow fell in the San Francisco Bay area and Roseburg fell to -1 on the 22nd, an all-time record low. 

 

January 1962 was incredibly dry. Only 1.11" of precip at SLE the entire month.

Snowfall                                  Precip

2022-23: 95.0"                      2022-23: 17.39"

2021-22: 52.6"                    2021-22: 91.46" 

2020-21: 12.0"                    2020-21: 71.59"

2019-20: 23.5"                   2019-20: 58.54"

2018-19: 63.5"                   2018-19: 66.33"

2017-18: 30.3"                   2017-18: 59.83"

2016-17: 49.2"                   2016-17: 97.58"

2015-16: 11.75"                 2015-16: 68.67"

2014-15: 3.5"
2013-14: 11.75"                  2013-14: 62.30
2012-13: 16.75"                 2012-13: 78.45  

2011-12: 98.5"                   2011-12: 92.67"

It's always sunny at Winters Hill! 
Fighting the good fight against weather evil.

 

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That ~Jan. 20th window used to be great for us historically, but it has been almost completely dormant since 1962. We're long overdue for something great to happen between about the 18th-22nd. 

 

Speaking of Jan. 1962, what an amazingly amplified pattern. A record breaking ridge punched into Alaska, delivering an all-time record barometric pressure to Anchorage on the 18th (31.10"). On the backside, a ridiculous upper-level cold trough dug SW off California, delivering 534 heights offshore of Tijuana (in excess of -5 sd's). Snow fell in the San Francisco Bay area and Roseburg fell to -1 on the 22nd, an all-time record low. 

 

Yeah, 1962 was epic in northern CA and southern OR. Roseburg had 7.5" out of the arctic front on the 19th, probably one of their snowier arctic fronts on record there.

 

And then the front plunged south and produced some ridiculous CAA into north-central CA with a widespread snowfall along the coast.

 

Sacramento had a full-fledged arctic front on 1/21/1962 with a daytime high of 32

 

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KSAC/1962/1/21/DailyHistory.html

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Yeah, 1962 was epic in northern CA and southern OR. Roseburg had 7.5" out of the arctic front on the 19th, probably one of their snowier arctic fronts on record there.

 

And then the front plunged south and produced some ridiculous CAA into north-central CA with a widespread snowfall along the coast.

 

Sacramento had a full-fledged arctic front on 1/21/1962 with a daytime high of 32

 

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KSAC/1962/1/21/DailyHistory.html

 

Wow, no kidding. The obs on the following morning are pretty eye-popping too. Temp 25, dp of 6, NNW wind at 23 mph. 

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