Ice Storm — Western Columbia River Gorge, Washington

2010-11-26 · Western Columbia River Gorge, Washington

Event narrative

A trained spotter, Stevenson SA-10, reported 1/2 inch accumulation of ice at 09:00 PST on November 26th. The Department of Transportation closed Interstate 84 from Cascade Locks, Oregon to Hood River, Oregon for dangerous icy condition on the roadway. Given the conditions of the storm, it is safe to assume the same dangerous conditions were present on State Highway 14 in Washington.

Wider weather episode

An abnormally cold air mass was in place over southwest Washington with an easterly wind blowing through the Columbia River Gorge. The precipitation from an incoming Pacific frontal system fell through this air mass as freezing rain in the Gorge causing travel to be treacherous.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 268533. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.