Heavy rain fell across parts of northwest Oregon along with minor river flooding. The heaviest rain fell along and just north of a front that held nearly stationary from Newport to Albany to Mount Jefferson.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS PQR wrote it up.
Heavy rain fell across parts of northwest Oregon along with minor river flooding. The heaviest rain fell along and just north of a front that held nearly stationary from Newport to Albany to Mount Jefferson.
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 Portland, OR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 19, 9:57 PM PST, 2 hours 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Portland OR
957 PM PST Sun Dec 19 2021
Updated aviation and short term discussions
.SYNOPSIS...Rain continues across the region as a slow moving warm
front over our area lifts northward tonight into Monday. Then, a
break in the weather, with a dry period on Tuesday. But, rain returns
Tuesday night and Wednesday, along with mountain snow. Cold air
trapped in the Columbia Gorge and east of the Cascades will ensure
snow for the areas around Hood River and the Hood River Valley
tonight and Monday. Unsettled weather remains over the region through
end of this week, with potential of very low snow levels come next
weekend.
&&
.UPDATE...A slow moving warm front continues to lift northward
late this evening, and should continue to do so into tonight. This
front has been the focus for periods of moderate rain, heavy at times
in some locations. In general, 1 to 3 inches of rain has already
fallen across the area over the past 24 hours, with locally higher
amounts above 4 inches over parts of the Siuslaw National Forest.
Expect an additional 0.25 to 1.0 inches of rain tonight, with higher
amounts possible over the higher terrain of the Coast Range. All of
this rain has resulted in rising river levels, and the Flood Advisory
for portions of northwest Oregon and Clark County has been extended
until 4 AM PST Monday to cover the threat of small stream flooding.
This Flood Advisory also covers the threat of minor urban flooding,
mainly in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Rivers that have the
best chance of reaching minor flood stage include the Siuslaw,
Luckiamute, and Marys rivers. Johnson Creek also has the potential to
flood.
In addition to the hydro impacts due to excessive rainfall, Winter
Storm Warnings remain in effect until noon PST Monday for the central
Columbia River Gorge, Upper Hood River Valley, and the south WA/north
OR Cascades. Expect additional accumulations of 3 to 12 inches for
the Cascades, mainly for elevations above Government Camp in the
north OR Cascades. There is a tight snow level gradient over the
north OR Cascades, with snow levels close to 500 feet near the
Columbia River Gorge rapidly rising to above 5000 feet south of
Santiam Canyon. Additional snow accumulations for Santiam Pass should
only be around an inch or two. While rain has been slow to transition
over to snow for elevations below 500 feet in the central Columbia
River Gorge, the transition over to wet snow is still expected to
occur at some point Sunday night, most likely between 11 PM PST
Sunday and 3 AM PST Monday. There is also a chance of freezing rain
for a brief period of time Sunday night and Monday morning from
Cascade Locks eastward to Hood River, especially for elevations above
500 feet. Expect additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches along
the Columbia River and 4 to 10 inches for elevations above 500 feet
by Monday afternoon. -TK
.SHORT TERM...Tonight through Wednesday...Front that shifted south
and stalled over the region last night has been slowly lifting north.
Moderate to heavy rain continues tonight along and north of
the front. The low that sits off the south Oregon coast will continue
to push towards south coast. As such, flow around the low will
continue to push the warm front farther to the north, with rain
spreading northward across southwest Washington overnight. Heaviest
rainfall looks to fall north of a Newport to Salem line, with 0.50 to
1 inch looking reasonable, through locally heavier over the higher
terrain. Will continue the current Flood Advisory and Flood watch, as
small streams/creeks will continue running full, with minor flooding
in low lying areas and areas with poor drainage.
Snow levels will continue somewhat high, running from 2500 to 3000
feet over the south WA Cascades, 3500 to 4500 feet around Mt Hood,
and 4500 to 6000 feet as move from Santiam Pass south to Willamette
Pass. Likely to see another 6 to 14 inches of snow tonight along and
north of the front, or areas from Mt Jefferson northward. So, will
maintain current Winter Storm Warnings for the south WA/north OR
Cascades. With snow levels rather high farther south, should just
have rain over the Santiam Pass and Willamette Pass. No advisories
there.
But, main forecast challenge tonight will be for lowlands of the
Columbia River Gorge and the Hood River Valley. With the low
offshore, will see offshore (easterly) winds pick up tonight. This
will act to push cooler dry air from east of the Cascades westward.
Modeled soundings all suggest will be enough to maintain low snow
levels. So, will see rain/snow mix this evening turn to all snow
later this evening. Overall, will see snow levels at Columbia River
level for areas east of Cascade Locks, with 2 to 6 inches of snow for
those areas. Bit heavier as get up in the Hood River Valley, with 6
to 12 inches of snow, where higher amounts will higher up in the
valley towards Parkdale. Will maintain current Winter Storm Warnings
for those area tonight through Mon morning. Models have been hinting
at a warm nose (above freezing temps) trying to push up and over the
Cascades tonight and Mon. But, it is a rather weak and shallow layer.
As such, any snow that is falling aloft will likely cool that warm
nose back to freezing, ensuring continue snow over the central
Columbia Gorge and Hood River Valley. But, may see few pockets of
freezing rain between Bonneville Dam and Hood River later tonight,
where snow melts to rain, but falls back into freezing air near or
just above river levels. This nose should punch farther east Monday
morning, enough to change snow to mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain
or just rain at times for the central Gorge and Hood River Valley.
Either way, will be messy and challenging driving conditions in that
areas later tonight through Monday morning.
Precipitation will be decreasing later Mon afternoon into the
evening, as the frontal boundary lifts well north of the region. At
this time, looks likely will see dry conditions developing across the
region later Mon night into Tue. Have trended forecasts as such, with
dry weather under mostly cloudy skies on Tue. But, will see another
upper disturbance shift inland later Tue, with areas of rain
spreading across region later Tue afternoon and evening, with rain on
Wed. For most areas, this will be just rain, with mountain snow. But,
this will be another problematic timeframe for the Columbia River
Gorge and Hood River Valley. With offshore flow, and temperatures
only in the upper 20s to lower 30s, will see much high potential for
freezing rain. If trends continue, this could be much more
significant ice accumulations for that area, with potential of a
quarter to half inch of ice. Those with travel plans through that
area Tue night and Wed should keep abreast with the latest weather
forecasts and road conditions. /Rockey
&&
.LONG TERM...Thursday through Saturday...With diverging model
solutions there isn't too much confidence moving into the long term
forecast. Over the last 24 hours the 12Z EC has become more inline
with the 12Z GEM solution; these solutions show a deep upper level
trough moving south along the B.C. coastline and shifts inland near
Vancouver Island early Thursday morning. While the 12Z GFS shows the
trough staying offshore and dropping south towards northern
California Thursday morning. The latest 12Z run of the GEM is
stronger, slower and drops the trough axis right across the Pacific
NW into Thursday morning. The associated surface front will move on
to the north Oregon coast Wednesday afternoon [according to the GEM]
and bring a cool and showery pattern across the area Thursday.
Temperatures aloft will drop to around -3 to -5 C at 850 mb Thursday
which will aid in dropping snow levels to around 2500 to 3000 ft by
Thursday. With post frontal showers, snow will have a good chance
for accumulating up in the Cascades.
A secondary, weak front will move through the northwesterly flow and
provide enough lift to bring another round of heavier showers Friday.
Snow levels will also progressively drop Friday as the arctic air
mass over Canada pushes south. Overnight lows across Willamette
Valley sites will likely dipping into the mid 30s. Snow levels will
drop to around 2000 ft and potentially 1500 ft by end of day Friday.
NBM shows a 10-15% chance that lowlands in the northern Willamette
Valley will see very light (around 0.1 inches) snow through the day
Friday. Cooler air mass come next weekend, with potential of snow
down to inland valley floors. Stay tuned. /BMuhlestein
&&
.AVIATION...06Z TAFs: A low pressure weakening and lifting
northwestward off the Oregon coast will result in a warm front
gradually lifting northward across the area through 06z Tuesday.
This will result in predominantly a mix of VFR and MVFR
conditions along the coast and a mixture of IFR, MVFR and VFR
conditions for the inland taf sites. East winds should pick up
near the Gorge and along the coast, but should generally remain
15 kt or less at the taf sites except at perhaps KTTD and KONP
later tonight and Monday. These east winds will also help to keep
KTTD and KPDX with conditions more in the MVFR to low end VFR
thresholds during this time.
For detailed regional Pac NW aviation weather information, go
online to: https://weather.gov/zse
KPDX AND APPROACHES...A warm front gradually lifting northward
across the area should produce predominantly a mix of mainly
MVFR and low end VFR conditions through 06z Tuesday. Expect east
winds to increase tonight into Monday, but they should remain
under 15 kt at the terminal. These east winds should help to keep
conditions from deteriorating into IFR conditions for extended
stretches, but cannot rule it out either. 06-15z Monday will be
the most likely time period for reductions into IFR thresholds to
occur per the HREF guidance. /Neuman
&&
.MARINE...A broad area of low pressure offshore will slowly make
its way north today and through Tuesday. The trough axis will
move north across the coastal waters Sunday night into Monday.
This large wind shift will make for chaotic seas for anyone
traveling along the coast. By 6 PM this evening Florence will
have strong southerlies while Newport will still be east. Gale
force winds will likely start in the central Oregon waters
around 10 PM tonight, a Gale Warning has been issued for PZZ275
and PZZ255. The northern waters will remain under a Small Craft
Advisory. The low will weaken and winds will start to slack
across the waters Tuesday.
Will continue to see a westerly swell around 7 to 10 ft at 12
seconds through Monday morning. With the stronger winds in place
expecting an enhanced southerly wind wave which will aid in
amplifying the combined seas. By Monday afternoon the low in the
eastern Pacific will intensify slightly and create a new
southerly fresh swell. The southerly swell will be higher around
10 to 12 ft at 11 seconds in the central waters, and closer to
10 ft at 11 seconds in the northern waters. Will still see that
secondary westerly swell though around 3 to 5 ft at 13 seconds.
-BMuhlestein
&&
.PQR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...Winter Storm Warning until noon PST Monday for Central Columbia
River Gorge-Northern Oregon Cascades-Upper Hood River
Valley.
Flood Watch through Monday morning for Central Coast Range of
Western Oregon-Central Oregon Coast-Central Willamette
Valley-Northern Oregon Cascade Foothills-South Willamette
Valley.
WA...Winter Storm Warning until noon PST Monday for Central Columbia
River Gorge-South Washington Cascades.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM PST Monday for coastal waters
from Cape Shoalwater WA to Cascade Head OR out 60 nm.
Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening for coastal
waters from Cascade Head OR to Florence OR out 60 nm.
Gale Warning until 1 PM PST Monday for coastal waters from
Cascade Head OR to Florence OR out 60 nm.
&&
www.weather.gov/portland
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www.twitter.com/NWSPortlandPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1041 PM PST SUN DEC 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1040 PM HEAVY RAIN 8 NW DEADWOOD 44.19N 123.85W
12/19/2021 M1.40 INCH LANE OR TRAINED SPOTTER
NOON TO 10 PM RAIN TOTAL. LE24.
&&
NEUMANPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1043 PM PST SUN DEC 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 PM HEAVY RAIN 2 NNW EUGENE 44.08N 123.12W
12/19/2021 M2.17 INCH LANE OR TRAINED SPOTTER
1 INCH FELL BETWEEN 8AM AND 8PM. THE REST
WAS PRIOR TO 8AM.
&&
NEUMANPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1044 PM PST SUN DEC 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0430 PM HEAVY RAIN 1 NW SUMMIT 44.64N 123.58W
12/19/2021 M1.06 INCH BENTON OR TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
NEUMANPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1046 PM PST SUN DEC 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM HEAVY RAIN 2 ENE CAMAS 45.60N 122.38W
12/19/2021 M1.70 INCH CLARK WA TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
NEUMANPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1048 PM PST SUN DEC 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 PM HEAVY SNOW 3 SE CAMP BONNEVILLE 45.67N 122.38W
12/19/2021 M6.3 INCH CLARK WA TRAINED SPOTTER
4 INCHES FELL BETWEEN 12/18 EVENING AND 3 AM
12/19. THE REST FELL BETWEEN 3 AM AND 3 PM
12/19.
&&
NEUMANThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 flood, 1 debris flow. Local standard time, as filed.
Measured rainfall of 2 to 4 inches. Minor flooding along the Marys River. No Damages reported.
Measured rainfall of 2 to 5 inches along the Oregon Coast Range. Minor flooding along the Siuslaw River near Mapleton. No damages reported.
Landslides dumped mud, trees, and rocks across Highway 126 about 10 miles east of Florence. An estimated 300 yards of the highway was covered by the landslide, which took about 24 hours to clear.
Measured Rain of 2 to 4 inches. Minor flooding along the Luckiamute River near Suver. No damages reported.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oregon in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Oregon, December 2021
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 999020, 999307, 1001313, 999304.