Winter Storm — Lower Columbia, Oregon

2003-11-17 to 2003-11-20 · Lower Columbia, Oregon

Wider weather episode

Over the three day period of series of strong Pacific storms brought high winds to the North and Central Oregon coast along with Heavy Rain and/or snow to the area. Along the coast Florence reported gusts to 73 mph and Garibaldi gusts to 59 mph. Gusts in excess of 50 mph were reported at Astoria, Newport Airport, the Newport Jetty, and Sea Lion Caves. Heavy rain fell over the area prior to the post frontal cold air moving into the area. In 6 hours, Portland International Airport recorded 1.02 inches, Troutdale 1.26 inches, Gresham and Bonneville both 1.00 inches. In 12 hours, Astoria reported 1.60 inches, Jewell 1.00 inches, and Lees Camp 1.20 inches. Many more areas reported 3/4 to 1 inch of rain during a 6 to 12 hour period. As cold air moved into the area the morning of November 19 the rain changed to snow. In the Cascade foothills Boring and Sandy reported 10 inches of new snow, and Brightwood and Marion Forks reported 8 inches. In the Portland area, Mt Scott reported 7 inches, Clackamas and Corbett 4 inches, Mt Tabor 3 inches, Laurelhurst Park and the West Hills 2 inches. Locations in the Central and Southern Willamette Valley reported up to an inch. In the Coastal Range, Laurel Mt reported 8 inches, Buxton 8 inches and Sunset Summit 5 inches. In the Cascades, Timberline Lodge accumulated 29 inches, Government Camp 23 inches, White River 24 inches, Mt Hood Meadows 20 inches, Blue Box and Bennett Pass each 17 inches, Santiam Pass Summit 14 inches, both Tombstone Summit and Willamette Pass 12 inches.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5335465. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.