Ice Storm — Bremerton and Vicinity, Washington

2022-12-23 · Bremerton and Vicinity, Washington

Event narrative

Significant ice accumulation resulted in major impacts across the Kitsap Peninsula just days before the Christmas holiday. Numerous reports were drawn from social media including: a report of 0.25 inches of ice in Port Orchard by 5am on the 23rd, reports of 0.1 inches and up to 0.27 inches around Seabeck. The highest report received was out of Silverdale where 0.4 inches of ice was measured.

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 1073538. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.