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Battle of the snowstorms!


Requiem

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Three contenders, one winner. Which of these three snowstorms was most impressive in the given area that it targeted most, in regards to amounts, dynamics, temperatures, and perhaps other factors too (wind, ice, duration, etc.).

 

The contenders:

 

January 10-11th, 2017 (Portland Metropolitan Area and surrounding locations): 8-12 inches of snow in many areas (with higher amounts up to 20 inches in select areas within Portland) that brought along with it thundersnow, freezing fog, and of course a complete forecast surprise.

 

February 24-25th, 2019 (Eugene and South Valley): Brought 10-20 inches of snow in many areas, creating havoc in terms of power and timber losses. Was a forecasted event, and dropped massive amounts in Central Oregon as well (20-30 inches in spots). Temperature never reached 32 degrees in Eugene during the storm (remained above freezing the entire time).

 

January 18-20th, 2012 (Puget Sound area and Western Washington): Brought an onslaught of snow (6-12 inches in many locations), followed by an ice storm (0.25-0.75 inches of ice) which crippled power and transportation services for several days. A rather long duration event, that was forecasted heavily and warned in advance.

 

So, which storm was the most impressive? Dynamics, radar presentation, wind, temperatures, almost anything is fair game. Just remember that your individual location doesn't matter, just the locations in which the storm impacted (all similar PACNW lowland locations).

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"Let's mosey!"

 

--Cloud Strife

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Top 5 Snow Events (post 2014):

 

(1. January 10th, 2017: 18.5 in.

(2. February 6th, 2014: 7.5 inches

(3. February 20th, 2018: 5.0 inches

(4. February 21st, 2018: 4.0 inches

(5. December 14th, 2016: 3.5 inches

 

Honourable Mentions: December 7th, 2018, February 9th, 2019.

 

Total since joining the Weather Forums: 3"

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I would have to go with 2012.  There were major amounts of snow all the way from Bellingham to SW WA and the huge ice storm in the Central Puget Sound region.  Even though places south of Seattle warmed up quickly there was significant snowfall over SW WA that caused pretty significant tree damage due to the heavy amount.  Even Portland got some snow out of that.

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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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I would have to go with 2012.  There were major amounts of snow all the way from Bellingham to SW WA and the huge ice storm in the Central Puget Sound region.  Even though places south of Seattle warmed up quickly there was significant snowfall over SW WA that caused pretty significant tree damage due to the heavy amount.  Even Portland got some snow out of that.

 Thank you for sharing your perspective Wizard! I can hardly remember that storm here in Portland, but I do remember there being some very heavy snow quite late at night on the 18th.

"Let's mosey!"

 

--Cloud Strife

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Top 5 Snow Events (post 2014):

 

(1. January 10th, 2017: 18.5 in.

(2. February 6th, 2014: 7.5 inches

(3. February 20th, 2018: 5.0 inches

(4. February 21st, 2018: 4.0 inches

(5. December 14th, 2016: 3.5 inches

 

Honourable Mentions: December 7th, 2018, February 9th, 2019.

 

Total since joining the Weather Forums: 3"

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Three contenders, one winner. Which of these three snowstorms was most impressive in the given area that it targeted most, in regards to amounts, dynamics, temperatures, and perhaps other factors too (wind, ice, duration, etc.).

 

The contenders:

 

January 10-11th, 2017 (Portland Metropolitan Area and surrounding locations): 8-12 inches of snow in many areas (with higher amounts up to 20 inches in select areas within Portland) that brought along with it thundersnow, freezing fog, and of course a complete forecast surprise.

 

February 24-25th, 2019 (Eugene and South Valley): Brought 10-20 inches of snow in many areas, creating havoc in terms of power and timber losses. Was a forecasted event, and dropped massive amounts in Central Oregon as well (20-30 inches in spots). Temperature never reached 32 degrees in Eugene during the storm (remained above freezing the entire time).

 

January 18-20th, 2012 (Puget Sound area and Western Washington): Brought an onslaught of snow (6-12 inches in many locations), followed by an ice storm (0.25-0.75 inches of ice) which crippled power and transportation services for several days. A rather long duration event, that was forecasted heavily and warned in advance.

 

So, which storm was the most impressive? Dynamics, radar presentation, wind, temperatures, almost anything is fair game. Just remember that your individual location doesn't matter, just the locations in which the storm impacted (all similar PACNW lowland locations).

 

Jan 1969 whips all of these IMO, but the 20" in the s valley is the 2nd most significant event here after Jan 1969.

Springfield, Oregon regular season 2023-24 Stats:

  • Coldest high: 25F (Jan 14, 2024)
  • Coldest low: 20F (Jan 14, 2024)
  • Days with below freezing temps: 24 (Most recent: Mar 8, 2024)
  • Days with sub-40F highs: 4 (Most recent: Jan 16, 2024)
  • Total snowfall: 0.0"
  • Total ice: 2.25”
  • Last accumulating snowfall on roads: Dec 27, 2021 (1.9")
  • Last sub-freezing high: Jan 15, 2024 (27F)
  • Last White Christmas: 1990
  • Significant wind events (gusts 45+): 0

Personal Stats:

  • Last accumulating snowfall on roads: Dec 27, 2021
  • Last sub-freezing high: Jan 16, 2024 (32F)
  • Last White Christmas: 2008
  • Total snowfall since joining TheWeatherForums: 42.0"
  • Sub-freezing highs since joining TheWeatherForums: 4

 

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GoFundMe "College Basketball vs Epilepsy": gf.me/u/zk3pj2

My Twitter @CBBjerseys4hope

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The answer of course is January 13, 1950, which was basically a strong nor'easter that happened to form off our coast.

 

I know that month was insane in Portland, but I have yet to do research on this event. Thanks for the insight.

  • Like 1

"Let's mosey!"

 

--Cloud Strife

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Top 5 Snow Events (post 2014):

 

(1. January 10th, 2017: 18.5 in.

(2. February 6th, 2014: 7.5 inches

(3. February 20th, 2018: 5.0 inches

(4. February 21st, 2018: 4.0 inches

(5. December 14th, 2016: 3.5 inches

 

Honourable Mentions: December 7th, 2018, February 9th, 2019.

 

Total since joining the Weather Forums: 3"

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Jan 1969 whips all of these IMO, but the 20" in the s valley is the 2nd most significant event here after Jan 1969.

 

That was a great one.  Major snows from Bellingham to south of Salem.

  • Like 1

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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I know that month was insane in Portland, but I have yet to do research on this event. Thanks for the insight.

 

I envy where you are at on this.  I remember how magical it was finding out about and researching the great winters for the first time.

 

I had to look through books at the Seattle Public Library when I was researching.  That having been said I still find details that somehow escaped me from time to time.

  • Like 2

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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I know that month was insane in Portland, but I have yet to do research on this event. Thanks for the insight.

It was insane regionally. Even EUG had like 37” of snow for the month.

  • Like 1

Springfield, Oregon regular season 2023-24 Stats:

  • Coldest high: 25F (Jan 14, 2024)
  • Coldest low: 20F (Jan 14, 2024)
  • Days with below freezing temps: 24 (Most recent: Mar 8, 2024)
  • Days with sub-40F highs: 4 (Most recent: Jan 16, 2024)
  • Total snowfall: 0.0"
  • Total ice: 2.25”
  • Last accumulating snowfall on roads: Dec 27, 2021 (1.9")
  • Last sub-freezing high: Jan 15, 2024 (27F)
  • Last White Christmas: 1990
  • Significant wind events (gusts 45+): 0

Personal Stats:

  • Last accumulating snowfall on roads: Dec 27, 2021
  • Last sub-freezing high: Jan 16, 2024 (32F)
  • Last White Christmas: 2008
  • Total snowfall since joining TheWeatherForums: 42.0"
  • Sub-freezing highs since joining TheWeatherForums: 4

 

Venmo

GoFundMe "College Basketball vs Epilepsy": gf.me/u/zk3pj2

My Twitter @CBBjerseys4hope

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Well following Jesse's rules I would have to go with January 2012, 32" storm total up here. 

 

I would vote for February 24-25, 2019 though. 

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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1-10-17 was extremely localized. 2/6/14 was easily more impressive. 

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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Objectively impressive snowstorm flowchart:

 

1) was it most impressive in my immediate vicinity?

 

Yes ▶️ It was objectively the best snowstorm

 

No ▶️ It was Objectively the least impressive

 

1-10-17 was incredibly localized. It really doesn't belong in the discussion with these other events. 

 

2/24-25/2019 wasn't that impressive in my immediate vicinity, but it was pretty D**n impressive. 

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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1-10-17 was incredibly localized. It really doesn't belong in the discussion with these other events. 

 

2/24-25/2019 wasn't that impressive in my immediate vicinity, but it was pretty d**n impressive. 

 

I put it in not because of how expansive it was but because of how impressive it was in the select areas in which it did affect. Parts of the West Hills received 20 inches in less than 12 hours, I'd call that impressive enough to stand toe-to-toe with some of these other storms.

  • Like 1

"Let's mosey!"

 

--Cloud Strife

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Top 5 Snow Events (post 2014):

 

(1. January 10th, 2017: 18.5 in.

(2. February 6th, 2014: 7.5 inches

(3. February 20th, 2018: 5.0 inches

(4. February 21st, 2018: 4.0 inches

(5. December 14th, 2016: 3.5 inches

 

Honourable Mentions: December 7th, 2018, February 9th, 2019.

 

Total since joining the Weather Forums: 3"

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