Cascades in Lane County storm history

A wildland firefighter was fatally injured while working the Gales Fire as part of the Middle Fork Complex. He was struck by a falling tree. By the end of the month around 27 thousand acres were burned.

The Holiday Farm wildfire started around 2020PDT on September 7, 2020 in Lane county, OR. The fire grew to approximately 173,400 acres before being brought under control on January 6, 2021. Destroyed were 431 residences, 24 non-residential commercial properties, 313 other minor s…

An IMET on the Holiday Farm Fire took some pictures as well as estimated wind gusts from observations and RAWS sites that are likely lost to the fire. Attached pictures might not be precisely located within the zone as information was taken from unknown exact locations.

Around 1.5 to 3 feet of snow inferred from SNOTELs.

Around 1.5 to 2 feet of snow inferred from the McKenzie, Roaring River, and Cascade Summit SNOTEL.

One to two feet of snow through the period. A sharp wind shift early the 13th resulted in bitter cold wind chills as low as -30F. During the period January 8-13, the Oregon Cascades above 2000' generally received 2-5 feet of snow.

Many SNOTEL sites recorded 2 to 3 feet of snow with snowfall rates on the order of 3/hour. Snow of this magnitude, coupled with winds gusting 50-85 mph at pass elevation, resulted in hazardous driving conditions.

Between 16 and 24 inches of snow fell for elevations above 2500-3000 feet.

A quick 1 to 2 feet of snow was observed above 4000 feet within a 12 hour period.

Widespread 1 to 2 feet snow totals were observed across the Cascades above 3000 feet.

The Salmon Fire started in the afternoon of August 6th near Oakridge Oregon during a period of hot dry weather. The fire grew to 135 acres. The cause of the fire in under investigation. The fire was 95 percent contained at the end of August.

The fire grew to about 25,754 acres.

Snotel sites indicated a 12 hour period in which 1 inch per hour fell while NOHRSC analysis shows general 1 to 2 feet of snow through the period.

Snow began falling around 0730 PST with significant accumulations around 1000 PST, then tapering off around 0900 PST on the 14th. A total of 15 to 21 inches of snow fell.

The Cedar Creek Fire continued to burn through the month, growing to approximately 127,283 acres with 60 percent containment by October 27th.

The Cedar Creek Fire continued to burn through the month, growing to approximately 120,700 acres with 27 percent containment at the end of the month. The fire grew considerably on the 9th-10th when dry east winds hit the area. On the 9th, Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation notices were …

High temperatures on the 17th were in the mid 90s to over 100 degrees. For example, the high temperature at Salt Creek Tunnel (OD120) on OR-58 was 100. Overnight temperatures were quite warm with lows in the 60s.

Lightning started an estimated 20 to 30 wildfires in the Willamette National Forest in early August. The Cedar Creek Fire started on the morning of the 1st. The fire grew to around 7800 acres by the end of the month. Impacts included smoke settling in the Oregon 58 corridor affec…

Around 12 to 24 inches of snow fell, much of it in a 12 hour period.

Around 10 to 18 inches of snow fell in the higher elevations.

Around 6 to 18 inches of snow fell above roughly 4000 feet. Heaviest snow was above 4500 feet.

A very active frontal system brought heavy snow to the Cascades in Lane County on the 3rd and 4th with snow totals mostly between 21 and 26 inches. One site, McKenzie SNOTEL (MKZO3) at 4770 feet had a total of 32 inches of snow.

A prolonged winter weather event occurred across the Pacific Northwest during the Christmas holiday, resulting in significant travel issues across mountain passes. Several SNOTELs reported 18 to 36 inches of snow through the period.

Generally 12 to 24 inches of snow fell between December 10-13. Summit Lake SNOTEL recorded 33 inches. Rates were mostly advisory level, but 10 to 16 inches of snow fell over a 12 hour period on the 11th.

High temperature in the lower elevations of area was around 100 degrees on the 11th and 12th. The high temperature near Blue River (OD159) along the McKenzie Highway was 104 degrees on the 11th and 102 degrees on the 12th.

The Middle Fork Complex started in the Willamette National Forest on July 29th near 43.869 latitude, -122.409 longitude. The cause of the fires is undetermined.

Heavy snow of 10-20. There were two bursts of snow, each for 6-12 across the Cascades of Lane County Oregon. Gusts 50-70 mph were common in the Cascades.

The Holiday Farm wildfire was under control on January 6th.

Fire suppression activities continued on the Holiday Farm wildfire in the cool and wet weather of December.

Fire suppression activities continued on the Holiday Farm wildfire in the cool and wet weather of November.

Fire suppression activities continued on the Holiday Farm wildfire through October as cooler and wetter weather arrived.

The McKenzie SNOTEL at 4770' reported 34 inches. The Roaring River SNOTEL at 4950' reported 20 inches. The Cascade Summit SNOTEL at 5100' reported 24 inches.

The Cascade Summit SNOTEL (CSTO3) at 5100 feet elevation reported 13 inches of snow over 12 hours.

A multi-day snow event brought roughly 2 feet of snow to the Lane County Cascades.

Generally 2 to 3 feet of snow fell across the Lane County Cascades. Heaviest known report was 38 inches from McKenzie SNOTEL. Highway 58 was closed due to trees brought down by heavy, wet snow. Amtrak train carrying 183 passengers and crew was stuck in Oakridge for over 36 hours …

Salt Creek Falls SNOTEL recorded 26 inches of snow, and Cascade Summit SNOTEL recorded 25 inches of snow.

SNOTEL sites recorded 12 to 17 inches of snow from this event. McKenzie SNOTEL recorded 17 inches of snow.

McKenzie SNOTEL recorded 16 inches of snow from this event, with 13 inches falling over a 9 hour period.

Dry conditions preceded a dry lightning event, which started the Staley Fire in the Willamette National Forest, 23 miles south of Oakridge, OR. By the end, it had burned around 2300 acres.

The McKenzie Bridge SNOTEL recorded 18 inches of snow.

The Cascade Summit SNOTEL reported 14 inches of snow and the McKenzie SNOTEL reported 11 inches of snow with this storm.

Generally saw 6-11 inches of snow with the greatest amount 11 inches at McKenzie SNOTEL at 4770 feet.

There was 10 to 18 inches of snow measured above 4000 feet.

Several SNOTEL stations measured between 12 and 18 inches of snow in the Cascades of Lane County.

Area SNOTEL's reported 15 to 21 inches of snow within 24 hours over the Lane County Cascades. The greatest snow accumulation was at Roaring River with 21 inches.

Based on radar and nearby reports, up to 6 inches of snow were followed by 0.5 to 1 inch of ice leading to numerous downed trees and power outages. The Eugene Water and Electric reported numerous downed power lines and shared a picture on Facebook with around an inch of ice on on…

Heavy snow was determined for the Lane County Cascades by the Roaring River SNOTEL station (ROR03) at 4900 feet where 15 inches of snow was measured between 0800 PST January 11th through 0400 PST January 12th. The 1 inch per hour criteria was met at 1600 PST on January 11th.

Temperature and Winds at The Oregon Department of Transportation weather station at Willamette Pass calculated to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. There is uncertainty on the ending time of this event because the wind sensor failed on the 7th.

Strong winds were reported at Sugarloaf RAWS with peak gusts to 79 mph.

Strong winds were reported at Sugarloaf RAWS with wind gusts to 66 kt.