Winter Storm — East Columbia River Gorge, Washington
2012-01-19 to 2012-01-20 · East Columbia River Gorge, Washington
Wider weather episode
Modified arctic air moved into the region followed by a series of moderate to strong upper level storm systems riding on a moist subtropical jet stream. The result was widespread heavy snow and local high winds. Freezing rain and sleet accumulated to between 1/4 and 1/2 inch over the lower elevations.
On January 17 and 18, snowfall amounts reported in inches included Waitsburg (6), 5 miles north northwest of Wiley City (6), 18 miles west northwest of West Richland (5), 8 miles west northwest of Connell (4), 2 miles west of Yakima (5), Toppenish (6), 1 mile southwest of Yakima (5), 5 miles north northwest of Centerville (15), 9 miles northwest of Roslyn (23), 3 miles north northeast of Ellensburg (4), Yakima (4), 7 miles northeast of Goldendale (14.5), 4 miles east northeast of White Salmon (18), 1 mile south southwest of Yakima (4), Cle Elum (7), Dayton (7.5), Ski Bluewood (18), Goldendale (12), 1 mile west northwest of White Salmon (17), Glenwood (10), 1 mile east of Walla Walla (5), 5 miles north of White Salmon (10.2), Mount Adams Ranger Station (17), Snowden (18), Easton (14), Tampico (11), 2 miles east south of West Valley (5.5), 4 miles east northeast of Yakima (4), Waitsburg (7), Richland (6), 15 miles northeast of Pasco (7.5), 10 miles east of Goldendale (13), 1 mile west of Toppenish (5), Kennewick (7.8), 3 miles northeast of College Place (4), West Richland (7), 5 miles south of Sunnyside (5), 20 miles west of Prescott (7), Selah (5), White Salmon (16), 6 miles east of White Swan (5.5), West Valley (7), Sunnyside 4.5), 10 miles north of Pasco (4), 1 mile southwest of Ellensburg (4), and 2 miles northeast of Husum (10.2).
On January 19-20, another surge of subtropical Pacific moisture moved over the cold air with a widespread mixture of precipitation. The lower elevations received freezing rain mixed at times with sleet and snow. The higher elevations received heavy snowfall. The storm caused numerous vehicle accidents with injuries, downed tree branches, power outages, and closed roads and schools.
Ice accumulation reported in inches included Kennewick (.5), 1 mile west of Patterson (.25), Dayton (.5), Walla Walla (.5), 3 miles northeast of Dallesport (.38), 1 mile west northwest of White Salmon (.25).
Snowfall amounts reported in inches included 8 miles southeast of Cliffdell (13), 5 miles west southwest of Yakima (4.5), Yakima (4), Connell (4.5), 2 miles northwest of Ellensburg (5.8), Sunnyside (4.1), Glenwood (8), and 7 miles west of Fruitvale (7).
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 355018. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.