January 2017 Observations and Model Discussion for the Pacific Northwest

[Perturbed Member]

Looking like we stay dry though at least early next week now. It has already been mentioned but I think we could see some pretty impressive low level cold building this week with a snow covered Basin, Gorge and now Portland metro. The source airmass is verifying pretty cold too with widespread 850s of -10 to -15C in the lower Columbia Basin.

 

This is a sort of setup I have dreamed about living through.

 

 

Yeah it is indeed a dream setup. I'm almost having difficulty believing it all worked out so well. Just doesn't happen that way here. 

[Poulsbo Snowman]

What does Boise average in a whole winter?

Probably about 5 or 6 inches.

 

I do recall, however, in 1983--just prior to Christmas, a historical arctic front came through and sat there for nearly 2 weeks.  During that times, highs had difficulties reaching single digits and lows were in the negative teens much of the time.  Oh--and we also had about 15 inches of snow off and on, which culminated in the largest snowflakes I've ever seen.  Each flake was its own individual snowball.  Incredible.  15 minutes of absolute bliss, which added about 2 inches of snow to the total.

 

We had a quick warmup after the event, resulting in flooding all over the valley.  Highs went from single digits to 50 in about 24 hours.  My bedroom was downstairs in the basement, which was flooded for several days.  The north end of town, by the foothills, was inundated with water for more than a week.  Whole streets became rivers, which flowed into the downtown area--and ultimately ended up in the Boise River.  If I looked around, I could probably find old pictures of the event.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Looks like Silverton was able to score a couple inches, cloudy and 32 in town right now. There has been snow on the ground in town here since January 1st.

[Jesse]

Looks like Silverton was able to score a couple inches, cloudy and 32 in town right now. There had been snow on the ground in town here since January 1st.

January's back! Would be nice if this sets a new trend for the next few decades...

[Goducks09]

Yeah it is indeed a dream setup. I'm almost having difficulty believing it all worked out so well. Just doesn't happen that way here. 

 

 

It was only possible because of everybody's hard work around here.  You are the reason!  Proud of everyone sticking it out for so long.  Lol.  Really, nice work all around.  

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Looking like we stay dry though at least early next week now. It has already been mentioned but I think we could see some pretty impressive low level cold building this week with a snow covered Basin, Gorge and now Portland metro. The source airmass is verifying pretty cold too with widespread 850s of -10 to -15C in the lower Columbia Basin.

 

 

This is a sort of setup I have dreamed about living through.

Impressive cold in the Columbia basin

[bainbridgekid]

Probably about 5 or 6 inches.

 

I do recall, however, in 1983--just prior to Christmas, a historical arctic front came through and sat there for nearly 2 weeks.  During that times, highs had difficulties reaching single digits and lows were in the negative teens much of the time.  Oh--and we also had about 15 inches of snow off and on, which culminated in the largest snowflakes I've ever seen.  Each flake was its own individual snowball.  Incredible.  15 minutes of absolute bliss, which added about 2 inches of snow to the total.

 

We had a quick warmup after the event, resulting in flooding all over the valley.  Highs went from single digits to 50 in about 24 hours.  My bedroom was downstairs in the basement, which was flooded for several days.  The north end of town, by the foothills, was inundated with water for more than a week.  Whole streets became rivers, which flowed into the downtown area--and ultimately ended up in the Boise River.  If I looked around, I could probably find old pictures of the event.

Boise averages closer to 18-20" a Winter.

 

Big storms are relatively rare there though since it's pretty close to being a desert.

[Guest Dome Buster]

Don't look now but we have some showers pinwheeling in off the north/central coast? Surprise late afternoon/evening snow showers? Any models pick up on this?

[Jesse]

Yeah it is indeed a dream setup. I'm almost having difficulty believing it all worked out so well. Just doesn't happen that way here.

It's all been fairly surreal.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Don't look now but we have some showers pinwheeling in off the north/central coast? Surprise late afternoon/evening snow showers? Any models pick up on this?

Maybe a few, I guess it's snowing at my house again, had sunbreaks earlier.

[Poulsbo Snowman]

Boise averages closer to 18-20" a Winter.

 

Big storms are relatively rare there though since it's pretty close to being a desert.

Oops.  I gave bad info.  You're right.  Thanks for keeping me straight!

 

Not sure what I was thinking of.  But yes, Boise gets about 20 inches a year--but it's fairly rare to have more than 5 or 6 inches on the ground.  Big snowstorms do not happen often in the semi-arid climate of Boise--which actually sits in a high desert.  You would never know it was a desert because it's so green in the summer--in fact, Boise is known as the "City of Trees".  But if you leave town to the south, you're in sagebrush and sand, which is great for Coyote hunting.

[Bryant]

January's back! Would be nice if this sets a new trend for the next few decades...

If that's the case you might as well name this place "The PDX Forums", because you wouldn't see many other posters

[SilverFallsAndrew]

If that's the case you might as well name this place "The PDX Forums", because you wouldn't see many other posters

That's why we need a Seattle snow event, this place is better with Jim and some of the others

[wx_statman]

It's all been fairly surreal.

 

Its been a pretty long surreal stretch. Nonstop October rain, November warmth/election, and now we've been in the icebox since early December. 

[Jesse]

If that's the case you might as well name this place "The PDX Forums", because you wouldn't see many other posters

I'm talking about the overall cold pattern this month, not just this one event. Bigger picture.

[Guest Dome Buster]

Was 1950 epic for both Seattle and PDX? Anyone have the snow totals for each that winter?

[Jesse]

That's why we need a Seattle snow event, this place is better with Jim and some of the others

Agreed.

[Bryant]

I'm talking about the overall cold pattern this month, not just this one event. Bigger picture.

I know, was just joking. Forgot to add an emoji lol

[MR.SNOWMIZER]

Its been a pretty long surreal stretch. Nonstop October rain, November warmth/election, and now we've been in the icebox since early December. 

When was the last time the Portland area had a storm like this?

[bainbridgekid]

I know, was just joking. Forgot to add an emoji lol

Going to be some seriously thick ice on the ponds up there by the end of this week.

 

Starting with ice several inches thick and going into the freezer for several days now should have even some larger lakes skateable.

[bainbridgekid]

When was the last time the Portland area had a storm like this?

It wasn't the same kind of storm, but December 2008 was the last time they had this much snow.

 

12/20/08 had pretty similar amounts, but that was on top of previous snow for many and was followed up by multiple other snowstorms the next week. That was a hell of a month.

[Bryant]

That's why we need a Seattle snow event, this place is better with Jim and some of the others

I really enjoy Jims enthusiasm, he is great for the forum and his positive vibes get people excited. He's just a good guy overall. I don't blame him one bit for being absent. He doesn't need to see the snowless DOT cams of Covington that someone likes to post, he can look out the window.

[wx_statman]

A couple pics from my apt building. On NE 46th Ave in Portland. In the first shot, there are bushes in front of the fence. Completely buried!

 

 

[MR.SNOWMIZER]

It wasn't the same kind of storm, but December 2008 was the last time they had this much snow.

 

12/20/08 had pretty similar amounts, but that was on top of previous snow for many and was followed up by multiple other snowstorms the next week. That was a hell of a month.

More like when was the last time they have had a snow like this in a 18hr period?

[Bryant]

Going to be some seriously thick ice on the ponds up there by the end of this week.

 

Starting with ice several inches thick and going into the freezer for several days now should have even some larger lakes skateable.

Cain lake and Reed lake both have good ice cover as of now... may have to test the thickness in a couple days and see if I could skate it.

 

Glenhaven seems to be a great place for radiational cooling, was 14.9° last night and was down to 11° a few days ago

[TT-SEA]

I really enjoy Jims enthusiasm, he is great for the forum and his positive vibes get people excited. He's just a good guy overall. I don't blame him one bit for being absent. He doesn't need to see the snowless DOT cams of Covington that someone likes to post, he can look out the window.

 

 

Yes... Bryant.   Endless Covington cams.   Once every 5 minutes.

 

Or maybe once this month with ground verification on a post from Jared about the radar echoes over Jim?

 

Silly antics from you as usual.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Was 1950 epic for both Seattle and PDX? Anyone have the snow totals for each that winter?

40" at PDX.

[bainbridgekid]

Cain lake and Reed lake both have good ice cover as of now... may have to test the thickness in a couple days and see if I could skate it.

 

Glenhaven seems to be a great place for radiational cooling, was 14.9° last night and was down to 11° a few days ago

I was thinking your area would be good for that. Seems very sheltered with the ridge to your NW and other mountains to your East.

 

I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were skateable by Saturday morning.

[Bryant]

Yes... Bryant. Endless Covington cams. Once every 5 minutes.

 

Or maybe once this month with ground verification on a post from Jared about the radar echoes over Jim?

 

Silly antics from you as usual.

Snowless, not endless

[Jesse]

Cain lake and Reed lake both have good ice cover as of now... may have to test the thickness in a couple days and see if I could skate it.

 

Glenhaven seems to be a great place for radiational cooling, was 14.9° last night and was down to 11° a few days ago

Sounds like you live in an interesting microclimate. You should post obs more!

[Bryant]

I was thinking your area would be good for that. Seems very sheltered with the ridge to your NW and other mountains to your East.

 

I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were skateable by Saturday morning.

You might have to make a drive up this way... Brennan, come on over as well! Would be a nice reunion

[wx_statman]

When was the last time the Portland area had a storm like this?

 

For the central urban area, it would have to be 2/12/1995. That was the last time we saw similar amounts in under 24 hours.

[TT-SEA]

Snowless, not endless

 

No one ever checks traffic cams to verify ground results based on the radar.   I would be checking that cam anyways just to see if snow was possible here.  

 

I would be so insulted if someone posted the I-90 cam near here one time in an entire season.   We must protect him!   

[Bryant]

Sounds like you live in an interesting microclimate. You should post obs more!

This is my first winter here, so I'm learning more as I go. It's very sheltered from the North, so Fraser outflow can take a while to get here, which hurt me earlier this year. Bellingham and north whatcom county got dumped on while I sat at 37° most the night with heavy rain. I live at ~480' which has helped me in the past, New Years Eve being the most recent example. Bellingham was mainly rain unfortunately, with some non accumulating snow later on, while the extra elevation gave me 3.5" of snow. Seems as though I have some orographic enchantment opportunity as well. Still lots to learn! The squiggly lines are just there to highlight the terrain, and the blue dot is my location. You can see the lake I'm referencing as well

[wx_statman]

Was 1950 epic for both Seattle and PDX? Anyone have the snow totals for each that winter?

 

Yes. January 1950 produced 57" at SEA and 41" at PDX

[jakeinthevalley]

40" at PDX.

First looked at that and thought it read Portland was at 40F. Made me look at the Obs!!

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Yes. January 1950 produced 57" at SEA and 41" at PDX

 

Some of these are absolutely astounding. Over 50" at Corvallis and Albany, 28" at Roseburg, 20" at Medford, 92.5" at Cascade Locks! 

 

Western Oregon January 1950 Snowfall Totals

Western Oregon Location January Total Snowfall Albany 54.7 inches Astoria Agricultural Station 39.4 inches Bandon 6.0 inches Brookings 6.0 inches Clatskanie 68.5 inches Corvallis 52.0 inches Cottage Grove dam 121.0 inches Detroit dam 122.0 inches Estacada 31.0 inches Eugene 36.0 inches Falls City 78.0 inches Forest Grove 59.0 inches Gold Beach 3.0 inches Hillsboro 42.4 inches Leaburg 50.0 inches Marion Forks 196.0 inches McMinnville 47.0 inches Medford 20.1 inches Molalla 30.0 inches Newport 6.2 inches North Bend 2.5 inches Oregon City 34.0 inches Otis 20.0 inches Portland Airport 41.0 inches Portland downtown 32.9 inches Powers 18.1 inches Prospect 87.5 inches Reedsport 5.0 inches Riddle 42.9 inches Roseburg 28.0 inches Salem 32.8 inches Santiam Pass 128.5 inches Sexton Summit 73.9 inches Three Links 96.0 inches Tillamook 18.9 inches Timberline Lodge 224 inches Troutdale 36.7 inches

Eastern Oregon January 1950 Snowfall Totals

Eastern Oregon Location January Total Snowfall Antelope 40.0 inches Baker City 24.4 inches Bend 56.5 inches Burns 31.9 inches Cascade Locks 92.5 inches Condon 43.1 inches Crater Lake 136.0 inches Dufur 18.0 inches Enterprise 30.8 inches Fossil 49.3 inches Fremont 49.2 inches Granite 80.0 inches Grizzly 42.5 inches Hart Mountain Wildlife Refuge 25.5 inches Heppner 36.5 inches Hood River 93.8 inches Klamath Falls 56.5 inches Klamath Falls airport 38.1 inches La Grande 42.0 inches Madras 28.0 inches Meacham 41.8 inches Mitchell 25.8 inches Moro 54.0 inches Ochoco Ranger Station 67.7 inches Odell Lake East 134.0 inches Ontario 17.0 inches Parkdale 138.5 inches Pendleton 41.6 inches Prineville 24.0 inches Redmond 36.0 inches Redmond airport 28.8 inches Rome 8.1 inches The Dalles 76.0 inches Umatilla 24.8 inches Union 24.8 inches Unity 19.0 inches Wickiup dam near Sunriver 68.3 inches

[SilverFallsAndrew]

My Dad works in Dallas, about 10-15 miles west of Salem. He says they have 5" there. 

[Timmy Supercell]

Boise averages closer to 18-20" a Winter.

 

Big storms are relatively rare there though since it's pretty close to being a desert.

 

Thanks, I thought something was off about that. 5-6"?? WUT? lol

 

I know they get quite a bit more than Portland/Eugene does.

[Timmy Supercell]

Yes. January 1950 produced 57" at SEA and 41" at PDX

 

Haha, wow. So regional Jan 1950 was a big one I guess. K-Falls had 56.50" that month.