Wildfire and Winter Weather in Washington, October 28 to 29, 2019

Name: Wildfire and Winter Weather in Washington, October 28 to 29, 2019
Start: 2019-10-28T17:11
End: 2019-10-29T01:00
Location: Washington

October 28 to 29, 2019 · NWS OTX · 4 events in 4 counties and zones

During the afternoon and evening hours of October 28th a strong arctic cold front descended out of Canada and into eastern Washington. This cold dense air squeezed through northern valley gaps and into the Columbia Basin with winds generally 20 to 30 mph with gusts in the 35 to 45 mph range with the highest local gust recorded at 59 mph at a highway sensor near Washtucna.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $200,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS OTX wrote it up.

An intense snow squall developed along this front during the evening hours which created near zero visibility in blowing snow along highway 195 in southern Spokane County and Whitman County leading to the temporary closure of this major north-south route due to accidents and slick road conditions.

The winds also contributed to the rapid spread of a wildfire near Rock Island in Douglas County. This 15 acre fire destroyed a barn and two parked vehicles before being brought under control.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Spokane, WA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 28, 3:30 PM PST, 1 hour 41 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 28, 3:30 PM PST, 1 hour 41 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 28, 3:53 AM PST, 13 hours 18 minutes before

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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 winter weather, 1 wildfire, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Wildfire, Wenatchee Area

When: October 28, 5:11 PM PST to October 29, 1:00 AM PST
Where: Wenatchee Area forecast zone
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 47.802, -120.155 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Webb Place Wildfire began in an orchard near Rock Island due to unknown causes. Gusty winds caused the fire to quickly spread to consume 15 acres. While not particularly large this fire killed 40 chickens as it consumed a barn and damaged two vehicles parked nearby. Firefighters extinguished the blaze as winds died down later in the evening.

Strong Wind, Upper Columbia Basin

When: October 28, 5:50 PM PST to October 29, 1:00 AM PST
Where: Upper Columbia Basin forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 47.610, -119.173 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Keller Ferry crossing lake Roosevelt near Keller had to cease operations until midnight due to strong winds.

Winter Weather, Spokane Area

When: October 28, 8:00 PM PST to October 29, 1:00 AM PST
Where: Spokane Area forecast zone
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 47.599, -117.911 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous auto accidents were reported by law enforcement on Highway 195 between Spokane and Spangle due to low visibility and icy conditions as a snow squall passed through the area.

Winter Weather, Washington Palouse

When: October 28, 8:00 PM PST to October 29, 1:00 AM PST
Where: Washington Palouse forecast zone
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 47.261, -117.463 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous auto accidents were reported along Highway 195 between Pullman and Colfax due to poor visibility and icy conditions in an intense snow squall.

What these are

Wildfire: A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Washington in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history Warnings in Washington, October 2019

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 858406, 858409, 858407, 858408.