Winter Storm in Washington, February 12 to 13, 2021

Name: Winter Storm in Washington, February 12 to 13, 2021
Start: 2021-02-12T16:00
End: 2021-02-13T10:00
Location: Washington

February 12 to 13, 2021 · NWS SEW · 12 events in 12 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

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 SEW wrote it up.

A significant snowstorm impacted the lowlands of Washington beginning during the evening hours of February 12 and continuing through the morning of February 13. Strong Fraser outflow was responsible for the advection of much colder air west of the Cascade Crest. As this cold air entrenched the Western Washington lowlands, a strong storm system was approaching from off the Pacific, bringing with it sufficient moisture towards the area. The low made landfall near the mouth of the Columbia River during the early morning hours of the 13th, which was the prime location to allow for significant snowfall over Western Washington. Heavy snowfall accumulated quickly overnight and continued through the morning of the 13th before tapering during the afternoon and evening.

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 Seattle, WA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 12, 2:28 PM PST, 1 hour 32 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 12, 2:28 PM PST, 1 hour 32 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Seattle WA
228 PM PST Fri Feb 12 2021

.SYNOPSIS...Wintry weather will continue across western Washington
this weekend with widespread lowland snow across the region.
Temperatures look to rebound closer to normal early next week, but
conditions overall will likely remain unsettled.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...A major winter storm will
bring lowland snow to much of western Washington tonight through
Saturday afternoon. There's been light snow in the south sound
this afternoon but rates and coverage will be increasing after 9
pm tonight, especially for the Olympia-Tacoma-Seattle areas.
Moisture will continue to spread across the area through Saturday
afternoon and then taper off. By the end, the Seattle metro area
will see ranges from 3-7 inches with highest totals near Tacoma
and over to Bremerton. Olympia, Shelton and Hood Canal may see
higher amounts toward 6-10". Everett to Bellingham and the strait
is still on the order of 2-4". All-in-all, widespread impacts are
expected with these ranges. A tricky area will be the central
coast where a wintery mix of rain/snow and freezing rain is
possible (although confidence is low). To complicate things
further, there will be gusty east winds which could help to erode
some moisture in the Cascade foothills, but also enhance amounts
over at Hood Canal. We will continue to refine total snowfall
amounts but the overall messaging remains the same - be prepared
for wintry weather this weekend. Temps will remain in the 30s on
Saturday with lows dropping into the 20s overnight - not expecting
much in terms of melting.

Light snow will linger into Sunday but total amounts are light and
generally 0.5" or less. Temperatures will be a few degrees warmer
and into the mid 30s to near 40. We'll then see a transition from
snow to rain Sunday night into Monday as our next system moves in
(while bringing warmer Pacific air inland). Lows will likely
occur around midnight with temperatures and snow levels climbing
thereafter. There will be rain and a lot of melting snow in the
south sound and this may lead to possible urban flooding issues if
there's not proper drainage. Whatcom county will see a slower
transition (due to NE winds) and may see light snow accumulations
into Monday morning. 33

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...Moving through next week,
temperatures will continue to moderate and remain above freezing
across the lowlands. Snow levels will be near 2000 ft. The pattern
remains active as a series of Pacific storms roll inland, with
most likely impacts being heavy snow in the mountains. 33

&&

.AVIATION...Northwesterly flow aloft this afternoon and evening
before transitioning to southwesterly overnight tonight, then
returning to northwesterly Saturday morning.

Cigs remain VFR for most locations although locations south of Puget
Sound...such as HQM and OLM...and along the Strait /CLM/ reporting
MVFR conditions. Southern locations continue to report -SN
associated with lingering system resulting in MVFR conditions not
only in cigs but also vis as well. Cigs still expected to
deteriorate area-wide after 02z tonight from south to north
accompanied by increasing likelihood for snow. Most of the area
outside of Whatcom and Skagit counties ceilings lowering to near
1000 feet with visibilities 1-3sm in snow overnight into Saturday
morning.

KSEA...Ceilings remain around 5000 feet...lowering after 03z to
right around 3000 feet with visibility 3-5sm in snow and after 10z
to ceilings near 1000 feet with visibility 1-3sm in snow.
East to northeast wind generally 10 to 15 knots. 18

&&

.MARINE...Offshore flow along with Fraser River outflow
winds will continue through tonight. A vigorous front still expected
to reach the coastal waters around daybreak Saturday morning and
move through the remainder of the waters during the day. The parent
low will weaken as it moves inland over Western Washington Saturday
afternoon. Another front will arrive Sunday night followed by yet
another system Monday night.

Gale force winds over most of the coastal waters along with the
Western and Central Strait of Juan de Fuca into Saturday with
small craft advisories over the remainder of the waters except for
the Puget Sound and Hood Canal. Inherited headlines remain pretty
solid, only added a follow-up SCA for the central coastal waters to
begin the indication of wind-down from this event.  18

&&

.HYDROLOGY...No river flooding is expected over the next 7 days.

&&

.SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Winter Storm Warning from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM PST
     Saturday for Admiralty Inlet Area-Bellevue and Vicinity-
     Bremerton and Vicinity-East Puget Sound Lowlands-Eastern
     Strait of Juan de Fuca-Everett and Vicinity-Olympics-San
     Juan County-Seattle and Vicinity-Tacoma Area-Western Strait
     of Juan De Fuca.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM PST
     Saturday for Cascades of Pierce and Lewis Counties-Cascades
     of Snohomish and King Counties.

     Winter Storm Warning until 4 PM PST Saturday for Hood Canal Area-
     Lower Chehalis Valley Area-Southwest Interior.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM PST
     Saturday for Western Skagit County-Western Whatcom County.

     Winter Storm Warning from 6 PM this evening to 4 PM PST Saturday
     for Central Coast-North Coast.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory until midnight PST tonight for Coastal
     Waters From James Island To Point Grenville 10 To 60 Nm-
     Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville Out 10
     Nm-Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater
     10 To 60 Nm-Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape
     Shoalwater Out 10 Nm.

     Gale Warning from midnight tonight to 1 PM PST Saturday for
     Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater 10
     To 60 Nm-Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape
     Shoalwater Out 10 Nm.

     Small Craft Advisory from 6 AM to 1 PM PST Saturday for Coastal
     Waters From James Island To Point Grenville 10 To 60 Nm-
     Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville Out 10
     Nm.

     Gale Warning from midnight tonight to 6 AM PST Saturday for
     Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville 10 To
     60 Nm-Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville
     Out 10 Nm.

     Gale Warning until 1 PM PST Saturday for Central U.S. Waters
     Strait Of Juan De Fuca-Coastal Waters From Cape Flattery To
     James Island 10 To 60 Nm-Coastal Waters From Cape Flattery
     To James Island Out 10 Nm-West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait
     Of Juan De Fuca.

     Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM PST Saturday for East Entrance
     U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-Northern Inland Waters
     Including The San Juan Islands.

     Small Craft Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 AM PST Saturday
     for Admiralty Inlet.

&&

www.weather.gov/seattle

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 12, 10:46 AM PST, 5 hours 14 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
1046 AM PST FRI FEB 12 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1000 AM     SNOW             ABERDEEN                46.98N 123.81W
02/12/2021  M1.5 INCH        GRAYS HARBOR       WA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            1-2" AROUND THE ABERDEEN AREA.

1000 AM     SNOW             MONTESANO               47.01N 123.58W
02/12/2021  M1.5 INCH        GRAYS HARBOR       WA   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&

Local storm report, Feb 12, 10:49 AM PST, 5 hours 11 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
1049 AM PST FRI FEB 12 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1000 AM     HEAVY SNOW       MCCLEARY                47.06N 123.27W
02/12/2021  M5.0 INCH        GRAYS HARBOR       WA   PUBLIC

&&

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Lower Chehalis Valley Area

When: February 12, 4:00 PM PST to February 13, 8:00 AM PST
Where: Lower Chehalis Valley Area forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Significant snowfall impacted the Lower Chehalis Valley beginning during the late afternoon and early evening hours of February 12 and continuing through the overnight period into February 13. Snowfall amounts during this general timeframe ranged from between 5-9 inches. Snow gradually tapered into the afternoon hours on February 13, with little additional snowfall accumulation thereafter.

Winter Storm, Southwest Interior

When: February 12, 5:00 PM PST to February 13, 10:00 AM PST
Where: Southwest Interior forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

After receiving several inches of light snow on February 11, a much more significant winter storm affected the Southwest Interior, beginning during the late afternoon and early evening hours on February 12 and continuing through the morning hours of February 13. Local CoCoRaHs observations indicated new snowfall totals from the 12th into the 13th of generally 8-11 inches.

Winter Storm, Hood Canal Area

When: February 12, 6:00 PM PST to February 13, 10:00 AM PST
Where: Hood Canal Area forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A significant winter storm impacted the Hood Canal area beginning during the evening hours of February 12 and continuing through the morning hours of February 13. Local CoCoRaHs observations around sunrise on February 13 suggested new snowfall totals ranging from 4-12 inches along the Canal vicinity. Snow would continue into the afternoon while gradually tapering. Little additional snow accumulation was reported.

Winter Storm, Tacoma Area

When: February 12, 6:00 PM PST to February 13, 10:00 AM PST
Where: Tacoma Area forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A major winter storm affected the Tacoma area beginning during the evening hours of February 12 and continuing through the morning hours of February 13. Local CoCoRaHs observations indicated new snowfall amounts of between 6-8 inches. Snow continued through the morning hours before gradually tapering. Little additional snowfall was reported.

Winter Storm, Bellevue and Vicinity

When: February 12, 7:00 PM PST to February 13, 10:00 AM PST
Where: Bellevue and Vicinity forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A major winter storm impacted the Bellevue area beginning during the late evening hours of February 12 and continuing through the morning hours of February 13. Within a 12 hours period, many CoCoRaHs reports ranged from 5-9 inches. Snow then slowly tapered through the afternoon and evening hours with little additional accumulation.

Winter Storm, Bremerton and Vicinity

When: February 12, 7:00 PM PST to February 13, 10:00 AM PST
Where: Bremerton and Vicinity forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A major winter storm impacted the Bremerton area beginning during the late evening hours on February 12 and continuing through the morning hours of February 13. Within a 12 hour window, many local CoCoRaHs stations reported new snowfall totals in the 6-10 inch range. Light snow would continue through the afternoon and gradually taper into the evening, with little additional accumulation.

Winter Storm, Everett and Vicinity

When: February 12, 7:00 PM PST to February 13, 10:00 AM PST
Where: Everett and Vicinity forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A major winter storm impacted the Everett area/western Snohomish County during the late evening hours of February 12 through the morning hours of February 13. In roughly a 12 hour window, many local CoCoRaHs stations reported new snow accumulations of between 4-7 inches. Snow continued through into the afternoon hours and gradually tapered, with little additional accumulation.

Winter Storm, Seattle and Vicinity

When: February 12, 7:00 PM PST to February 13, 10:00 AM PST
Where: Seattle and Vicinity forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A major winter storm impacted the Seattle area beginning during the late evening hours on February 12 and continuing through the morning hours on February 13. Local CoCoRaHs observations indicated new snowfall totals in the 4-10 inch range. Snow continued through the afternoon hours while gradually tapering. Little additional snowfall accumulation was reported.

Winter Storm, Western Skagit County

When: February 12, 10:00 PM PST to February 13, 8:00 AM PST
Where: Western Skagit County forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A significant winter storm impacted Western Skagit County late in the evening hours on February 12 and continued through the overnight and morning period of February 13. Some areas within the County recorded around 8-9 inches of new snow in a 12 hour period.

Winter Storm, Admiralty Inlet Area

When: February 12, 10:00 PM PST to February 13, 8:00 AM PST
Where: Admiralty Inlet Area forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A significant winter storm impacted the Admiralty Inlet area beginning during the late evening hours of February 12 and into the morning hours of February 13. Most locations received less than 4 inches in a 12 hour period (generally 1-3 inches area-wide), however, a few locations on Camano Island received 4 inches, mainly on the northern side of the island.

Winter Storm, Western Whatcom County

When: February 13, 12:00 AM PST to 8:00 AM PST
Where: Western Whatcom County forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snow began to spread across Western Whatcom County during the late overnight period of February 12 into February 13th. Local CocoRaHs observations by daybreak on the 13th showed generally 3-5 inches of new snow across the western portion of the county. Snow would then taper through the afternoon, with generally minimal additional accumulation.

Winter Storm, San Juan

When: February 13, 12:00 AM PST to 8:00 AM PST
Where: San Juan forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 48.531, -123.025 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A significant winter storm brought heavy snowfall to the San Juan Islands late in the evening and into the overnight period from February 12 to February 13. Local CoCoRaHs reports around daybreak on February 13 ranged from generally 5-10 inches of snow through that short time period.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Washington in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in Washington, February 2021

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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 945686, 945694, 945683, 945697, 945675, 945678, 945681, 945692, 945670, 945672, 945666, 945669.