Heavy Snow in Central Columbia River Gorge, Washington

Although there were no reports on the Washington side of the Central Columbia River Gorge there were several reports of heavy snow in the more populated areas just across the River in Oregon. The Hood River County Emegency Manager reported 10 inches of snow in hood River. The oregon Department of Transportation reported 9 inches of snow in Hood River, and 8 inches in Cascade Locks. With these observations it is estimated that 7 to 12 inches of snow fell on the Washington side of the Central Columbia River Gorge.

A preceding cold arctic air mass combined with a moist Pacific storm resulted in widespread heavy snow for Southwest Washington. East winds through the Columbia River Gorge maintained colder air to the north where the precipitation fell mainly as snow.