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

[wx_statman 2469]

Very nice cold snap around this time in 1951-52. PDX reeled off 6 consecutive highs below freezing from the 31st to the 5th, along with 7.6" of snow that fell from the 3rd-6th. SEA scored a record low on New Years morning with a reading of 10. Sedro Woolley was the big winner in this event. A foot of snow buried the town on the 30th, followed by a low of 4 on the 31st. 

[wx_statman 2469]

Impressive cold snap in the Intermountain West at this time in 2010-11. Over a foot of snow fell in Burns, followed by readings of -25 on the 31st and -23 on the 1st. Readings on New Years day included -35 in Charleston, NV and -30 in Seneca, OR. Some places in Arizona saw historic cold minimums. The Flagstaff WFO office in Bellemont hit -30 on the 1st, a really impressive reading considering the state record low is -40. A low of -24 at Petrified Forest N.P. came within 3F of the all-time record low for that station, -27 in January 1971 (same cold wave that produced the -40 state record). Prescott Airport fell to 1, their lowest reading since an all-time record low of -9 in December 1990. 

[Front Ranger 7603]

No. Why would I waste energy trying to provide objective evidence refuting this subjective post, considering you don’t believe I am capable of objectivity? It’s a fool’s errand.

Then stop making statements you are either unwilling or unable to support. I didn't bring you into this, you did.

[snow_wizard 11637]

Very nice cold snap around this time in 1951-52. PDX reeled off 6 consecutive highs below freezing from the 31st to the 5th, along with 7.6" of snow that fell from the 3rd-6th. SEA scored a record low on New Years morning with a reading of 10. Sedro Woolley was the big winner in this event. A foot of snow buried the town on the 30th, followed by a low of 4 on the 31st. 

 

That was a really solid winter.  Landsburg had snow on the ground from Dec 30 to Jan 26 and every low was freezing or below from Dec 24 to Jan 19.  Clearbrook had a one foot snowstorm later in January.  Pretty much everybody got a turn that winter.

[wx_statman 2469]

Then stop making statements you are either unwilling or unable to support. I didn't bring you into this, you did.

 

[MossMan 10553]

Really you guys...shouldn’t we just stick to “this day in weather history” why does everything have to turn into a debate?

[snow_wizard 11637]

Really you guys...shouldn’t we just stick to “this day in weather history” why does everything have to turn into a debate?

 

Good point.  I will probably go back through this and clean it up later.

[Deweydog 14074]

Really you guys...shouldn’t we just stick to “this day in weather history” why does everything have to turn into a debate?

A year from now we can look back and celebrate the fact this was the day Flatiron cemented himself as the forum's king of the long range hill. Almost as memorable as a 15 degree blizzard in Brookings.

[Front Ranger 7603]

A year from now we can look back and celebrate the fact this was the day Flatiron cemented himself as the forum's king of the long range hill. Almost as memorable as a 15 degree blizzard in Brookings.

 

Never said that. Jesse decided to insert himself into the conversation and offer his "opinion" - which was just an excuse to bash me.

 

Memorable stuff indeed!

[Eujunga 1106]

Impressive cold snap in the Intermountain West at this time in 2010-11. Over a foot of snow fell in Burns, followed by readings of -25 on the 31st and -23 on the 1st. Readings on New Years day included -35 in Charleston, NV and -30 in Seneca, OR. Some places in Arizona saw historic cold minimums. The Flagstaff WFO office in Bellemont hit -30 on the 1st, a really impressive reading considering the state record low is -40. A low of -24 at Petrified Forest N.P. came within 3F of the all-time record low for that station, -27 in January 1971 (same cold wave that produced the -40 state record). Prescott Airport fell to 1, their lowest reading since an all-time record low of -9 in December 1990. 

 

Here's a screenshot I grabbed of the NWS Flagstaff home page showing the lows that morning:

 

[wx_statman 2469]

Here's a screenshot I grabbed of the NWS Flagstaff home page showing the lows that morning:

 

 

Wow, -38 at that one RAWS station.

[Jesse 8835]

Never said that. Jesse decided to insert himself into the conversation and offer his "opinion" - which was just an excuse to bash me.

 

Memorable stuff indeed!

My “opinion” is the same as dewey’s. The post that orginailly started this discussion was part of an ongoing, rather desperate and very transparent attempt at asserting your (nonexistent) long range forecasting prowess over Phil.

 

Now let’s stop cluttering up this otherwise very informative thread.

[Front Ranger 7603]

My “opinion” is the same as dewey’s. The post that orginailly started this discussion was part of an ongoing, rather desperate and very transparent attempt at asserting your (nonexistent) long range forecasting prowess over Phil.

 

Now let’s stop cluttering up this otherwise very informative thread.

 

How about you stop making biased assumptions and stick to what's actually said? Nowhere have I ever said I'm the best LR forecaster or whatever.

 

I've never been afraid to call people out, and Phil's no different. It's nothing personal, unlike your ongoing, rather desperate and transparent feud with me.

[Jesse 8835]

How about you stop making biased assumptions and stick to what's actually said? Nowhere have I ever said I'm the best LR forecaster or whatever.

 

I've never been afraid to call people out, and Phil's no different. It's nothing personal, unlike your ongoing, rather desperate and transparent feud with me.

You are so full of it.

 

If you have anything more to say about it please take it to PM. Or at least off of this thread.

[BLI snowman 6757]

Very nice cold snap around this time in 1951-52. PDX reeled off 6 consecutive highs below freezing from the 31st to the 5th, along with 7.6" of snow that fell from the 3rd-6th. SEA scored a record low on New Years morning with a reading of 10. Sedro Woolley was the big winner in this event. A foot of snow buried the town on the 30th, followed by a low of 4 on the 31st.

That was the 4th very solid winter in a row, too.

 

Nowadays it's a big struggle to get two.

[wx_statman 2469]

That was the 4th very solid winter in a row, too.

 

Nowadays it's a big struggle to get two.

 

Especially down here in Portland. Our last streak of 3 was what, 1988-91?

[BLI snowman 6757]

Especially down here in Portland. Our last streak of 3 was what, 1988-91?

 

Yeah, and even then 90-91 kinda sucked for snow here.

[BLI snowman 6757]

Another ho-hum 1890s winter, as a major snowstorm began on the 2nd of January in 1895 and carried over into the 3rd for NW OR and Western WA.

 

McMinnville had 14" on the 2nd, Downtown Portland had 15" in a 12 hour period, Downtown Seattle had 10", and Ground Mound had 22" on the 2nd-3rd. The Dalles had a historic storm as well, with over two feet in 24 hours. In Portland, the snow switched to sleet that night and dropped another inch of ice on top of the heavy snowpack.

 

Salem just had a mix with no reported accumulation. 

[SilverFallsAndrew 14736]

A New Year's event that doesn't get much play and I actually do not know a ton about it happened in 1924. Salem's record low for New Year's Day is 5 set in 1924. 5" of snow fell on the 31st and then the first 5 days of the new year had sub-freezing highs. 

[wx_statman 2469]

That was a great event in late Dec 1923/early Jan 1924. Another one easily overlooked in that era of big hitters. A huge Arctic high slid down the Rockies (30.90" pressure in Baker City). Temps fell to 3 in both Corvallis and McMinnville, with 1 at Wallace Orchard and 5 in Salem. Newport hit 10 on New Years morning which is really impressive. Some other readings were -29 in Deer Park, -24 in Madras, and -14 at Paradise Lodge. Impressive cold in Montana as well. West of the divide, Libby hit an all-time record low of -46 on the 2nd, and Pleasant Valley hit -49 on the 1st. This would have been an all time record, except it was broken later that year with -51 on 12-18-1924 (-49 was also observed in the Dec 1968 cold wave). East of the divide, Kinread hit -53 on both the 31st and 1st. In California, Helm Creek hit -33 on the 2nd. Chico in the central valley hit 15 on the 2nd, one of their lowest readings on record and within striking distance of the all-time record (11 on 12-11-1932). A 3" snowfall also occurred in Chico, one of the greatest on record for that area, with 2" in Marysville. 

[SilverFallsAndrew 14736]

That was a great event in late Dec 1923/early Jan 1924. Another one easily overlooked in that era of big hitters. A huge Arctic high slid down the Rockies (30.90" pressure in Baker City). Temps fell to 3 in both Corvallis and McMinnville, with 1 at Wallace Orchard and 5 in Salem. Newport hit 10 on New Years morning which is really impressive. Some other readings were -29 in Deer Park, -24 in Madras, and -14 at Paradise Lodge. Impressive cold in Montana as well. West of the divide, Libby hit an all-time record low of -46 on the 2nd, and Pleasant Valley hit -49 on the 1st. This would have been an all time record, except it was broken later that year with -51 on 12-18-1924 (-49 was also observed in the Dec 1968 cold wave). East of the divide, Kinread hit -53 on both the 31st and 1st. In California, Helm Creek hit -33 on the 2nd. Chico in the central valley hit 15 on the 2nd, one of their lowest readings on record and within striking distance of the all-time record (11 on 12-11-1932). A 3" snowfall also occurred in Chico, one of the greatest on record for that area, with 2" in Marysville. 

 

I totally overlooked this one.

[wx_statman 2469]

The 1920's were a great decade.

 

1921-22: Awesome

1922-23: Awesome

1923-24: Awesome

1924-25: Awesome

1925-26: Total disaster, one of the biggest blowtorches on record

1926-27: Awesome

1927-28: Awesome

1928-29: Awesome

1929-30: Awesome

[Front Ranger 7603]

The 1920's were a great decade.

 

1921-22: Awesome

1922-23: Awesome

1923-24: Awesome

1924-25: Awesome

1925-26: Total disaster, one of the biggest blowtorches on record

1926-27: Awesome

1927-28: Awesome

1928-29: Awesome

1929-30: Awesome

 

Not as awesome for the Seattle area, though. Every winter from 1923-24 to 1927-28 had less than 8" of snowfall at downtown Seattle, with only 1924-25 exceeding 6". This is a station that averaged 11"/winter during its period of record.

 

The only less snowy 5 winter stretches were 1937-42 and 1943-48.

[James Jones 497]

The 1920's were a great decade.

 

1921-22: Awesome

1922-23: Awesome

1923-24: Awesome

1924-25: Awesome

1925-26: Total disaster, one of the biggest blowtorches on record

1926-27: Awesome

1927-28: Awesome

1928-29: Awesome

1929-30: Awesome

 

And while 20-21 was a bit of a dud, you also had the mind blowing December 1919 blast and huge snowstorm. I do wonder about the validity of the -24 reading in McMinnville though.

[TT-SEA 3622]

The 1920's were a great decade.

 

1921-22: Awesome

1922-23: Awesome

1923-24: Awesome

1924-25: Awesome

1925-26: Total disaster, one of the biggest blowtorches on record

1926-27: Awesome

1927-28: Awesome

1928-29: Awesome

1929-30: Awesome

 

And a great decade for summer weather too. 

[wx_statman 2469]

Not as awesome for the Seattle area, though. Every winter from 1923-24 to 1927-28 had less than 8" of snowfall at downtown Seattle, with only 1924-25 exceeding 6". This is a station that averaged 11"/winter during its period of record.

 

The only less snowy 5 winter stretches were 1937-42 and 1943-48.

 

Goes to show how difficult it is for *everyone* to win in our region. 

[wx_statman 2469]

And while 20-21 was a bit of a dud, you also had the mind blowing December 1919 blast and huge snowstorm. I do wonder about the validity of the -24 reading in McMinnville though.

 

I would guess it's probably not valid. Something around -15 is more probable. It seems as though the COOP observer in McMinnville had a penchant for exaggeration during the 1910's-20's, given some of the high temperature records.

[wx_statman 2469]

And a great decade for summer weather too. 

 

Great decade for weather all around. 

[Front Ranger 7603]

Goes to show how difficult it is for *everyone* to win in our region. 

 

No doubt. 

 

Looking at it closer, though, downtown Portland didn't do all that great for snowfall those winters either. Over 20" in 1926-27, but under 6" every other winter from 1923-28. Certainly some nice Arctic outbreaks, though.

 

The 1908-17 period was pretty even and consistent for both cities. Portland had 12"+ 5/8 winters, and Seattle had 15"+ 5/8 winters, and both of course had the monster 1915-16 winter, followed by the very nice 1916-17.

[BLI snowman 6757]

The 1920's were a great decade.

 

1921-22: Awesome

1922-23: Awesome

1923-24: Awesome

1924-25: Awesome

1925-26: Total disaster, one of the biggest blowtorches on record

1926-27: Awesome

1927-28: Awesome

1928-29: Awesome

1929-30: Awesome

 

Yeah, 8/9 years had solid arctic outbreaks. Several years with several.

[BLI snowman 6757]

Not as awesome for the Seattle area, though. Every winter from 1923-24 to 1927-28 had less than 8" of snowfall at downtown Seattle, with only 1924-25 exceeding 6". This is a station that averaged 11"/winter during its period of record.

 

The only less snowy 5 winter stretches were 1937-42 and 1943-48.

 

Portland did a lot better than Seattle on the whole from 1917-37.

[BLI snowman 6757]

No doubt. 

 

Looking at it closer, though, downtown Portland didn't do all that great for snowfall those winters either. Over 20" in 1926-27, but under 6" every other winter from 1923-28. Certainly some nice Arctic outbreaks, though.

 

The 1908-17 period was pretty even and consistent for both cities. Portland had 12"+ 5/8 winters, and Seattle had 15"+ 5/8 winters, and both of course had the monster 1915-16 winter, followed by the very nice 1916-17.

 

The thing is though that the snow stayed on the ground for a long time in most of those years. 4" of snow that stays on the ground for 10+ days, as in January or December 1924, is a lot better than 8" that melts right away.

[Front Ranger 7603]

The thing is though that the snow stayed on the ground for a long time in most of those years. 4" of snow that stays on the ground for 10+ days, as in January or December 1924, is a lot better than 8" that melts right away.

 

It's somewhat subjective. It's hard for me to call a winter with 3-4" total of snow "awesome", no matter how long it sticks around and gets dirty, but that's just me.

[wx_statman 2469]

No doubt. 

 

Looking at it closer, though, downtown Portland didn't do all that great for snowfall those winters either. Over 20" in 1926-27, but under 6" every other winter from 1923-28. Certainly some nice Arctic outbreaks, though.

 

The 1908-17 period was pretty even and consistent for both cities. Portland had 12"+ 5/8 winters, and Seattle had 15"+ 5/8 winters, and both of course had the monster 1915-16 winter, followed by the very nice 1916-17.

 

That stretch did really will with snowy La Nina's. We couldn't go wrong. 

 

I'm always partial to Arctic air though. A major dry blast to me is just as impressive as a foot of snow. 

[Front Ranger 7603]

Portland did a lot better than Seattle on the whole from 1917-37.

 

You think? Portland definitely did better with some huge events, but I wouldn't say a lot better most winters. Seattle did better for snowfall in 1920-21, 1921-22, 1922-23, 1924-25, 1928-29, and 1934-35. Several other winters where both were very close.

 

Overall, similar average snowfall for both cities over that period.

[BLI snowman 6757]

It's somewhat subjective. It's hard for me to call a winter with 3-4" total of snow "awesome", no matter how long it sticks around and gets dirty, but that's just me.

 

I would always take an inch of dirty, crusty, frozen snow over our usual conditions in the winter. Any time.

[Front Ranger 7603]

I would always take an inch of dirty, crusty, frozen snow over our usual conditions in the winter. Any time.

 

Of course. But a 6"+ snowstorm is not "usual conditions" either. 

[TT-SEA 3622]

I would always take an inch of dirty, crusty, frozen snow over our usual conditions in the winter. Any time.

 

What??   I thought you were a big fan of 9 months of gloom and rain.   Can't come soon enough you say... the sun is too bright.  

[BLI snowman 6757]

You think? Portland definitely did better with some huge events, but I wouldn't say a lot better most winters. Seattle did better for snowfall in 1920-21, 1921-22, 1922-23, 1924-25, 1928-29, and 1934-35. Several other winters where both were very close.

 

Overall, similar average snowfall for both cities over that period.

 

1919-20, 1923-24, 1926-27, 1927-28, 1929-30, 1931-32, 1932-33, 1935-36, and 1936-37 were all generally colder/snowier for the Portland area. There were still a few events where Seattle did a lot better of course, like November 1921 and January 1935, but it seemed that a lot of the cold spells in that era had more of a backdoor component to them. Lots of +ENSO years in that time period so that's probably why.

[BLI snowman 6757]

Of course. But a 6"+ snowstorm is not "usual conditions" either. 

 

A 6" snowstorm that melts in a day and turns into bare ground and 45 degree rain is though. That was my point.

[BLI snowman 6757]

What??   I thought you were a big fan of 9 months of gloom and rain.   Can't come soon enough you say... the sun is too bright.  

 

Are you confusing me with Jesse?

[TT-SEA 3622]

Are you confusing me with Jesse?

 

Nope.

[BLI snowman 6757]

Nope.

 

I think you are. I like seasons.

[snow_wizard 11637]

Portland did a lot better than Seattle on the whole from 1917-37.

 

Outside of Seattle 1921-22, 1922-23, 1924-25, 1928-29, 1931-32, and 1936-37 were fantastic.  Seattle only did really well in 1922-23, 1924-25, and 1928-29.  There were so many events in that period though.  Just insane!

[HighlandExperience 1458]

Outside of Seattle 1921-22, 1922-23, 1924-25, 1928-29, 1931-32, and 1936-37 were fantastic. Seattle only did really well in 1922-23, 1924-25, and 1928-29. There were so many events in that period though. Just insane!

Wow

[snow_wizard 11637]

1-2-

 

1899 - After 5 consecutive days of significant snowfall Seattle had 16 inches of snow on the ground and was in the midst of one its all time great periods of deep snow cover.  When it was through Seattle ended up with 10 consecutive days with 10" or more snow on the ground and 15 consecutive days of 1" or more.  This event still stands as the longest stretch of days with 10 inches or more snow on the ground for the city.  Below is a list of the days that had snowfall and snow on the ground with depths.

 

12/29- 4.0 .... 4

12/30- 3.0 .... 7

12/31- 5.0 ... 12

   1/1 - 5.0 ... 12

   1/2 - 5.0 ... 16

   1/3 - ......... 12

   1/4 - ......... 10

   1/5 - 2.0 ... 12

   1/6 - 5.0 ... 17

   1/7 - ......... 17

    1/8 - ........ 15

    1/9 - ........ 12

   1/10 - ......... 7

   1/11 - ......... 3

   1/12 - ......... 1

 

Another great winter in the amazing 1890s! 

[snow_wizard 11637]

Wow

 

I think 1928-29 could have well been the best winter of the 20th century for the EPSL for overall desirability.  Very cold, not a lot of rain, snow on the ground for weeks, and tons of sunny and cold days.  1936-37 was also excellent.  From 1919 through early 1937 here is a list off the top of my head of months that had at least a significant blast and / or major snowfall.

 

Dec 1919 - Major December blast not much snow

Nov 1921 - Major snowstorm

Jan 1922 - cold and snowy

Dec 1922 - cold and snowy

Jan 1923 - significant snowfall

Feb 1923 - major blast and snowstorm (snow on the ground continuously late Jan through late Feb)

Dec 1924 - epic blast and snowstorm (snow on the ground for many days).

Jan 1926 - short Arctic blast

Jan 1927 - Arctic blast

Dec 1927 - Arctic blast

Jan 1929 - Major blast with major snowfall

Feb 1929 - Major snowfall on 1st followed by two weeks of clear and cold

Jan 1930 - Very cold for weeks

Jan 1932 - Significant blast and major snowstorm

Dec 1932 - Major blast with little snow

Feb 1933 - Major blast with little snow

Jan 1935 - Major blast with major snowstorm (epic warm front afterward)

Oct 1935 - Major blast with snow 

Feb 1936 - Epic cold month with some snow

Jan 1937 - Very cold with nearly continuous snow cover

Feb 1937 - Continued cold with snow on the ground

 

Wow!

[snow_wizard 11637]

One thing the 1920s and 1930s show is that blocky winters eventually serve us well.

[snow_wizard 11637]

Another ho-hum 1890s winter, as a major snowstorm began on the 2nd of January in 1895 and carried over into the 3rd for NW OR and Western WA.

 

McMinnville had 14" on the 2nd, Downtown Portland had 15" in a 12 hour period, Downtown Seattle had 10", and Ground Mound had 22" on the 2nd-3rd. The Dalles had a historic storm as well, with over two feet in 24 hours. In Portland, the snow switched to sleet that night and dropped another inch of ice on top of the heavy snowpack.

 

Salem just had a mix with no reported accumulation. 

 

That one is kind of an add on for that decade.  Overshadowed by many.

[BLI snowman 6757]

I think 1928-29 could have well been the best winter of the 20th century for the EPSL for overall desirability.  Very cold, not a lot of rain, snow on the ground for weeks, and tons of sunny and cold days.  1936-37 was also excellent.  From 1919 through early 1937 here is a list off the top of my head of months that had at least a significant blast and / or major snowfall.

 

Dec 1919 - Major December blast not much snow

Nov 1921 - Major snowstorm

Jan 1922 - cold and snowy

Dec 1922 - cold and snowy

Jan 1923 - significant snowfall

Feb 1923 - major blast and snowstorm (snow on the ground continuously late Jan through late Feb)

Dec 1924 - epic blast and snowstorm (snow on the ground for many days).

Jan 1926 - short Arctic blast

Jan 1927 - Arctic blast

Dec 1927 - Arctic blast

Jan 1929 - Major blast with major snowfall

Feb 1929 - Major snowfall on 1st followed by two weeks of clear and cold

Jan 1930 - Very cold for weeks

Jan 1932 - Significant blast and major snowstorm

Dec 1932 - Major blast with little snow

Feb 1933 - Major blast with little snow

Jan 1935 - Major blast with major snowstorm (epic warm front afterward)

Oct 1935 - Major blast with snow 

Feb 1936 - Epic cold month with some snow

Jan 1937 - Very cold with nearly continuous snow cover

Feb 1937 - Continued cold with snow on the ground

 

Wow!

 

You also had a decent arctic airmass in December 1921, the major arctic event at the start of 1924, and some impressive "offseason" airmasses like October 1919, September 1926, and late March-early April 1936.