Oregon vs Washington snow events.

[WeatherArchive]

Which gets it better/longer.etc?  Would you prefer Oregon or Washington?  It seems from Salem south there is a lot of screw potential more then you guys up north.  Would Medford be a good climate for small snow events ie: 1-2 inchers since it sits higher then the Willamette valley in elevation despite being further south?

[TigerWoodsLibido]

Central and South Willamette Valley get screwed more because we are further south. But there have been plenty of epic events here.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Central and South Willamette Valley get screwed more because we are further south. But there have been plenty of epic events here.

Long term average is pretty much the same as further north. They get snow in different situations, so I think it just seems like you are always getting screwed. On January 10, 2017 or Jan 1998 people in Eugene would be feeling screwed. But they wouldn't be thinking about PDX not getting snow in March 2012, Jan 08, or December 2003., 

[BLI snowman]

Long term average is pretty much the same as further north. They get snow in different situations, so I think it just seems like you are always getting screwed. On January 10, 2017 or Jan 1998 people in Eugene would be feeling screwed. But they wouldn't be thinking about PDX not getting snow in March 2012, Jan 08, or December 2003., 

 

Portland area easily has higher median snowfall though, as does Seattle. They are far more likely to see minor events and probably only slightly more likely to see major events hence the averages being close because the Willamette Valley can still get similarly slammed every so often.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Portland area easily has higher median snowfall though, as does Seattle. They are far more likely to see minor events and probably only slightly more likely to see major events hence the averages being close because the Willamette Valley can still get similarly slammed every so often.

 

Yes, events like 1/3/16, 12/24/17, 12/19/05 generally do not effect the valley south of Wilsonville. 

[WeatherArchive]

So is Wilsonville/Oregon City like a cut off point for minor events?

[snow_wizard]

IMO in Nino events Portland almost always does better.  On balance it's pretty equal down to just south of Portland.  After that the norms drop off.  Sometimes there are enormous differences in given winters though.  In 1971-72 SEA kicked PDX's arse, but the opposite was true in 1919-20 for example.

[HighlandExperience]

I prefer being in Washington. More chance of snow in November and March.