Heavy Snow — Yakima Valley, Washington

2010-11-21 to 2010-11-23 · Yakima Valley, Washington

Wider weather episode

An Arctic cold front combined with Pacific moisture to produce widespread heavy snowfall and very cold temperatures. Snow and ice created dangerous driving conditions which led to numerous accidents. Two fatalities occurred near Tieton on November 22. Snowfall amounts in inches included Thorp (6), 5 miles north northwest of Ellensburg (5.5), 5 miles north northeast of Yakima (5), Toppenish (7.5), Yakima (4), Kennewick (8.5), Richland (4), 8 miles west northwest Connell (4.5), 2 miles south southeast of Richland (7), 3 miles north northwest of Waitsburg (5), 6 miles east of Dayton (4), Touchet SnoTel (8), Trout Lake (9), 7 miles north northwest of Easton (13), 2 miles north northwest of Goldendale (7), and Bickleton (9).

After the snow ended, clearing skies led to subzero temperatures in many areas including 12 below zero at Bickleton which was the coldest ever for November at Bickleton. Other subzero readings were at Ellensburg (-9), Hanford (-8), Pasco (-7), Selah (-6), Yakima (-10), Walla Walla (-2), Cle Elum (-5), Dayton (-8), Glenwood (-7), Goldendale (-3), Sagemoor (-11), Wapato (-7), Whitman Mission (-11) and Ski Bluewood (-10).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 263413. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.