Ice Storm — Southwest Interior, Washington

2022-12-22 to 2022-12-23 · Southwest Interior, Washington

Event narrative

First reports of freezing rain were provided by spotters on the night of the 22nd, where multiple collisions were the result from freezing rain along I-5. It was also reported that ice was beginning to coat surfaces in Chehalis late that evening. By 4am on the 23rd, reports of 0.2 inches of ice were received out of Tumwater and then by 10am, reports from around Olympia measured around 0.25 inches of ice. Lacey, nearby to Olympia received around 0.23 inches of ice.

Wider weather episode

After a series of snow events in the lowlands and mountains of western Washington, a system off the Pacific brought a modifying airmass towards the area right before the Christmas holiday. Warmer Pacific air was able to overrun lingering cold air very near the surface, producing a warm layer of classic characteristic of a freezing rain profile. As such, measurable ice accumulation led to hazardous impacts across the area, most noticeably to roadways and travel.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1073523. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.