Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Spokane Area, Washington

2021-12-27 · Spokane Area, Washington

Event narrative

Washington Department of Health reported that there was 1 cold-related death on December 27th in Spokane County. The exact time of death is unknown. Minimum wind chills were in the single digits across the county including 4 degrees at Spokane International Airport and 7 degrees at Felts Field.

Wider weather episode

A strong ridge of high pressure over the Northeast Pacific Ocean put the region into a strong northerly flow and allowed for an intrusion of cold, dry Arctic air. The low temperatures averaged about 15 to 30 degrees below normal for the last week of the year. The accompanying breezy winds on December 27th brought wind chills into the single digits to below zero lows. The city of Spokane opened a temporary drop in shelter for homeless during the extreme cold temperatures.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 997138. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.