North Oregon Cascades storm history

Temperatures climbed up into the upper 80s to low 90s in many locations across the area. One local swimmer drowned seeking relief from the heat in a mountain lake.

The most snow was recorded at the Mt Hood Meadows Ski Resort, which reported 41 inches of snow from this event. Timberline NWAC observation site also recorded 30.5 inches of snow, with 12 inches just over the 12 hour period from 3:00 am to 3:00 pm on the 7th. There was one fatali…

The Lionshead fire crossed into the NWS Portland CWA around 2330PDT on September 7, 2020. The fire spread into eastern Marion county, OR and small parts of Linn & Clackamas counties and grew to approximately 110,000 acres before merging with the Beachie Creek fire. Destroyed were…

The Horse Creek RAWS (HSFO3) recorded a peak gust of 66 mph.

The Red Hill SNOTEL at 4410 ft recorded 17 inches of snowfall between 1100 3/14 and 2300 3/15 with 12 inches reached 1700 3/15.

The Red Hill SNOTEL at 4410ft recorded 13 inches of snowfall between 1200 02/16 to 1200 02/17 with 12 inches of new snow by 1000 02/17.

The Mt Hood Test Site SNOTEL at 5380 ft recorded 12 inches of snowfall between 2200 12/28 and 0000 12/30 with 12 inches of snow hit at 0000 12/30 and the Red Hill SNOTEL at 4410 ft recorded 12 inches of snowfall 2300 12/28 to 0000 12/30 with the 12 inch mark hit at 0000 12/30.

The Clear Lake SNOTEL at 3810 ft recorded 12 inches of snowfall between 1300 12/25 and 2300 12/25 with 12 inches of snow hit at 2300 12/25, and Mt Hood Test Site SNOTEL at 5380 ft recorded 17 inches of snowfall between 0800 12/25 and 0900 12/26 with 12 inches of snow hit at 0300 …

The Greenpoint SNOTEL at 3320 ft recorded 14 inches of snow with 12 inches of snow hit at 0600 12/17.

The Red Hill SNOTEL at 4410ft recorded 19 inches of snowfall with 12 inches first reached 0300 PST.

Between 10 to 18 inches of snow at several high elevation stations.

Around 2 to 3.5 feet of snow inferred from SNOTELs.

Around 1 foot of snow inferred from Blazed Alder, and Clackamas Lake SNOTEL.

One to two feet of snow through the period. Sharp wind shift early the 13th resulted in bitter cold wind chills as low as -30F, requiring ski areas to shut down. 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/hr. Snow of this magnitude, coupled with winds gusting to 78 mph at pass elevation, resulted in hazardous driving conditions and the closure of ski lifts. Main highways such as Highway 26 were cl…

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.

Around 8 to 16 inches of snow fell in about 12 hours above 1000 feet elevation.

Snow began falling around 0500 PST with significant accumulations around 0800 PST, then tapering off around 0600 PST on the 14th. A total of 10 to 20 inches of snow fell.

Estimated wind chill as low as -12F in the North Oregon Cascades near Mt. Hood. Note that many sensors do not have both wind and temperature so for this case have combined observations from nearby stations to calculate wind chill values.

The Santiam Pass station measured a max wind of 42 mph with a gust of 71 mph. Multiple highways closed due to strong winds and downed trees, including US26, OR-173 and US-20. Ski lifts were also closed.

Most areas saw some combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain. Impacts were mostly from ice.

High temperatures on the 17th were generally in the 80s to over 100 degrees. For example, the high temperature at E. Arlie Mitchell Road (ODT85) near Rhododendron was 103 degrees. Overnight temperatures were quite warm with lows in the mid 60s to low 70s.

Around 8 to 14 inches of snow fell, most of which fell within a 12 hour period.

Around 10 to 20 inches of snow fell above roughly 3500 feet.

A very active frontal system brought heavy snow to the Northern Oregon Cascades on the 2nd and 3rd with snow totals mostly between 21 and 29 inches. Peak snow fall rates are estimated at 3 to 4 inches per hour. One particular site, Bear Grass SNOTEL (BKSO3) at 4720 feet had 34 in…

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, with one station reporting 42 inches.

Snow amounts ranged from 15 to 30 inches above 4500 feet in elevation.

A range of 15 to 30 inches of snow fell between December 10-13. Rates were generally advisory level, but there was a 12 hour period where 10 to 14 inches of snow fell early on the 11th.

The Bull Complex wildfire continued into September with around 25 thousand acres burned at the end of the month. Fire suppression efforts were turned over to a local team at the end of the month.

The wildfire continue through September with about 31 thousand acres burned. By the end of the month fire suppression activities were turned over to a local team.

The high temperature in the lower elevations of the Cascades was around 100 degrees on the 11th and 12th. A sensor on Highway 26 at ZigZag (OD165) reported high temperature of 96 degrees on the 11th and 104 degrees on the 12th. Along highway 22 at Detroit, it was 105 degrees on t…

A round of lightning on August 2nd started four fires in the Mount Hood National Forest that resulted in the Janus, Kola, Ridge, and Round Lake fires. These fires became the Bull Complex. By the end of August around 19 thousand acres had burned.

On August 18th the fire was about 75 percent contained and had burned about 200 acres. Suppression activities were turned over a local unit.

The Bruler Fire was detected on July 12, 2021 and is located near the boundary between the Detroit and Sweet Home Ranger Districts near 44.591 latitude, -122.156 longitude. As of the end of July the fire burned about 200 acres. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The fi…

Heavy snow of 10-20. There were two bursts of snow, each for 6-12 across the Cascades of northern Oregon. Gusts 50-70 mph were common in the Cascades, with the ODOT sensor at Santiam Pass even reporting a gust to 52 mph. Ski lifts were closed due to gusts 65-85 mph. One of the hi…

Wide variety of impacts due to snow and ice, ranging from a crippling snow event at all elevations in the northern half and elevated portions south of Santiam Canyon, a crippling snow to ice event in the Santiam Canyon. There were several reports of 2 feet of snow within the zone…

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

The Beachie Creek wildfire was declared under control on December 2nd.

The Riverside wildfire as declared contained on December 3rd.

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

Mount Hood Meadows NWAC sensor (MHM54) measured 12 inches snowfall in 12 hours.

Timberline NWAC sensor (TIM59) measured 12 inches snowfall in 12 hours.

Fire suppression activities continued on the Beachie Creek, Holiday Farm and Riverside wildfires in the cool and wet weather of November.

The Lionshead wildfire was declared contained on November 16th.

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

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

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

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