Heavy Snow — Central Columbia River Gorge, Washington

2017-01-10 to 2017-01-11 · Central Columbia River Gorge, Washington

Event narrative

Reports of 8 to 12 inches reported in Hood River and Parkdale. Similar amounts in Underwood, Stevenson and Wind River Valley. State Route 14 and I-84 were closed for 15 hours due to hazardous road conditions.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system moved up from the southwest. Surface temperatures as precipitation started were just above freezing, but with heavy showers, rain quickly turned over to snow during the early evening. Embedded thunderstorms enhanced snowfall rates around the Vancouver Metro for a crippling snowstorm Tuesday evening, with snow continuing to fall through Wednesday morning.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 677390. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.