Heavy Snow — Lower Garfield & Asotin, Washington

2008-12-17 to 2008-12-19 · Lower Garfield & Asotin, Washington

Wider weather episode

A near stationary arctic front boundary resulted in significant snow accumulations with record snow amounts reached in the Spokane area. From 10 AM on the 17th through 10 AM on the 18th, Spokane Airport measured 19.4 inches of snow, breaking the previous 24 hour record of 13 inches. The heavy snow closed roads, schools, businesses, Spokane County Courts, and contributed to numerous car accidents. On the 17th, the Washington State Patrol responded to about 200 wrecks in Eastern Washington. One such accident blocked interstate 90 in Spokane. Bus service was also temporarily suspended with garbage collection also cancelled for a day. Numerous flights were also either delays or cancelled flying out of Spokane International Airport. The heavy snow put Spokane street plows into a condition red. Private contractors were brought in to help clear snow from streets. Portions of State Routes 27, 194, 195, and 274 were closed in Eastern Washington. Total snow accumulations in the Spokane area ranged from 19 to 25 inches with the highest accumulations on the south and east end. Other areas received heavy snowfall as well. On the Washington Palouse; Oakesdale measured 24 inches, Colfax 16 inches, 14 inches four miles west-southwest of Palouse, Pullman 12 inches, and La Crosse eight inches. In the Northeast Washington Mountains; 21 inches was measured seven miles south-southwest of Newport, 19 inches five miles southwest of Usk, 17 inches in Deer Park, 17 inches five miles northeast of Elk, 16 inches in Clayton, 15 inches three miles north-northeast of Loon Lake, and seven inches five miles south of Northport. In the Okanogan Highlands, seven inches was recorded four miles west of Boyds. In lower Garfield and Asotin counties, a very impressive 20 inches fell in Pomeroy. In the northeast Blue Mountains, Ski Bluewood picked up 25 inches, while only six inches four miles west of Anatone. The Wenatchee area, Waterville Plateau, and Upper Columbia Basin picked up four to six inches.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 141289. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.