The first of two strong Pacific fronts brought high winds to the coast as well as gusty winds to the Willamette Valley and interior lowlands of southwest Washington. This storm generated large seas impacting the coastline, and combined with rising river levels and high astronomical tides, resulted in some flooding along the coast due to poor drainage.
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.
The first of two strong Pacific fronts brought high winds to the coast as well as gusty winds to the Willamette Valley and interior lowlands of southwest Washington. This storm generated large seas impacting the coastline, and combined with rising river levels and high astronomical tides, resulted in some flooding along the coast due to poor drainage. In addition to the wind and rain, heavy snow fell in the mountains and in the Columbia River Gorge where transportation corridors between western and eastern Oregon and Washington were temporarily closed due the heavy snow accumulation.
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 Jan 2, 9:56 AM PST, 1 hour 34 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Portland OR
956 AM PST Sun Jan 2 2022
Updated short term, aviation and marine discussions.
.SYNOPSIS...A powerful cold front from the Gulf of Alaska will
move across the forecast area tonight and Monday morning. This
system will bring a period of strong winds, heavy rain for the
lowlands, and near white-out conditions to the mountains. Heavy
snow can also be expected for the Hood River Valley and central
portions of the Columbia Gorge. Post-frontal showers will
persist through Tuesday, then a weaker low pressure system will
spread another round of steadier precip across much of the
forecast area as snow levels remain low Tue night into Wed
morning. Active weather will continue through the end of the
week as additional storm systems move through the region.
&&
.SHORT TERM...THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...A strengthening cold front
and low pressure system will advect over the region this
afternoon/evening which will spark the very active and complex
winter weather to the area over the coming days. Numerous
winter storm, wind, hydrologic, coastal, and marine headlines
have been issued as this system is expected to bring a period of
intense rainfall and blustery winds to the lowlands with very
heavy snow and even stronger winds expected for the Cascades.
The coast will see a period of strong winds as the front nears,
with gusts 65 to 80 mph possible for the windiest beaches and
headlands.
As mentioned above, the front is a strong one and may have the
strongest 850 mb winds we've seen yet this winter season. Both
the 12z NAM and 06z GFS continue to show south-southwesterly 850
mb winds increasing to 75-85 kt with local 90 kt barbs as the
front moves onshore this evening. The easterly orientation of
the MSLP gradients is not quite ideal to maximize the potential
for these stronger winds to mix down to the surface, but there
is enough southerly component and coastal jet potential that the
beaches and headlands should easily verify their High Wind
Warnings this afternoon and evening. There is a possibility that
the cool, stable air mass presently in place will keep the
strongest winds out of many coastal communities, aside from
those right along the beach. We also have a Wind Advisory in
effect for the Willamette Valley, for gusts up to 45 mph. Again,
the stable environment and orientation of the MSLP gradients
will work against the strongest winds reaching the surface, but
the NBM and ECMWF ensembles have been adamant in showing the
potential for 40 to 50 mph gusts this afternoon into tonight.
Will continue to monitor, however, for the Willamette Valley
advisory the highest winds may only be concentrated at the more
exposed terrain, and hillsides...especially through the central
and southern Willamette Valley. Still cannot rule out the gusty
winds though so have left the advisory in place.
Models have also been pretty consistent in showing intense rainfall
near the front as it moves southeast across our forecast area.
Rainfall rates of 0.3 to 0.6 inch per hour appear doable in this
setup, even for the inland valleys. Many of our burned areas will
largely be above snow level thus mitigating their threat of debris
flows or flash flooding, except perhaps the Echo Mountain burned area
near Lincoln City. Given the strong low-level winds, the potential
for orographic enhancement on S-SW facing slopes is high. Would not
be surprised to see 6-hour totals near 2 inches or even locally
higher in the coast range. As if the runoff produced by this rainfall
on partially frozen ground were not enough, snow has been
accumulating over the past 2 weeks down to low elevations. SNOTEL
sites situated at 2000-3000 feet in the N OR Coast Range are showing
3 to 8 inches of snow water equivalent in the snowpack, which will
very likely exacerbate the potential for flooding. Drainages
originating in the Coast Range and lower elevations of the Cascade
foothills will likely see rapid rises tonight into tomorrow, with
multiple rivers approaching flood stage. Flood watches have been
issued for areas west of the Cascade foothills tonight into Monday as
a result. Flashier, small streams are also of particular concern, and
it appears to be likely that the Grays River will flood yet again
from this event.
The heavy precipitation will fall as snow in the higher
terrain. Snow levels will be 3000-4000 feet ahead of the front
this afternoon and evening, falling to 1500-2500 feet behind the
front Monday. The strong low-level winds will lead to very
windy conditions on exposed ridges of the Coast Range and
Cascades, resulting in widespread blowing and drifting of snow
and periods of white-out conditions. With QPF on the order of 2
to 3 inches over 12-18 hour period tonight into Monday, 18 to 36
inches of snow are expected above 2500-3000 feet. Travel will
be extremely hazardous across the passes and along mountain
roads tonight into Monday.
The forecast for the Columbia Gorge and Hood River Valley is perhaps
the most challenging, as low-level cold air will remain entrenched
there at least until the front passes. This means snow is likely down
to the lowest elevations in the central Gorge as precipitation
increases overnight. Suspect marginal temperatures may keep snow
accumulations lower down along the river, but the expected snowfall
increases rapidly above 500 feet in elevation. Up to 18 inches of
snow are possible in the upper Hood River Valley by Monday
afternoon.
One notable aspect of this system is that, similar to the 18-19 Dec
2021 system, additional waves will be lifting NE along the front,
potentially causing steady precipitation to linger on the cold side
of the system for a few hours. As such, the 12z NAM Nest shows the
potential for a brief period of wet snow down as low as the valley
floors Monday morning. We have not totally bought into this idea yet,
but it certainly bears watching.
Post-frontal showers will continue through Tuesday morning, adding
additional snow for elevations above 1500-2000 feet. Models have been
fairly consistent in showing a weak low pressure system travelling
along the baroclinic zone, moving onshore along the central or
southern Oregon coast Tuesday afternoon or evening. Given the cool
air mass ahead of this system and initial lack of low-level southerly
flow, snow levels may end up quite low for a bit on the north side of
system. -Weagle/Muessle
&&
.LONG TERM...WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...Active weather will
continue across the Pac NW through the end of the week. The
above- mentioned baroclinic zone will lift northward across the
forecast area Wed night/Thu morning, raising the possibility of
a wintry precip transition event in the Hood River Valley and
Columbia Gorge. Low pressure moves into Vancouver Island
Thursday, pushing a potentially strong cold front across the
forecast area. This may produce another round of heavy rain and
gusty southerly winds Thursday/Thursday night. Subtropical air
ahead of this front will likely cause snow levels to rise -
possibly even above the Cascade passes. Cold front moves through
by Friday, followed by lowering snow levels and decreasing
showers. Weagle
&&
.AVIATION...18Z TAFs: Not much change from the 12z forecast; a
strong frontal system approaching the region today will bring
gusty southerly winds and lowering ceilings through
tonight. Greatest impacts expected will be from the winds, low
level jet around 020 ft will increase this afternoon and this
evening across the warning area. South, southwesterly winds
between 60-70 kt along the coast and 45-55 kt inland. Expect low
level wind shear through much of the TAF period with severe to
potentially extreme turbulence across the Cascades. Strongest
winds are at KONP this afternoon as the front sags south
compressing the gradient across the central OR coast, where gusts
of 45-50 kt possible between 21Z Sunday and 08Z Monday. Inland
valley terminals likely to see wind gusts of 30 to 40 kt peak
later this afternoon through this evening.
Expecting MVFR cigs at the coast to persist over the next 24
hours, with heavier rain expected later this afternoon and
overnight. VFR across the inland valleys likely to continue
through at least 06Z Monday for most terminals. Light rain will
be possible this afternoon, but more widespread rain not likely
through the valleys until this evening.
For detailed regional Pac NW aviation weather information, go online
to: https://weather.gov/zse
KPDX AND APPROACHES...Prevailing VFR conditions are expected to
continue through this evening. Periods of light rain possible
this afternoon with intermittent high end MVFR ceilings around
025 ft. More steady rain with lowering ceilings to around 015 ft
likely after 06Z Monday. Low level wind shear possible later this
morning and through tonight. South to southeast winds expected
to increase today, peaking between 00Z and 08Z, with gusts 30-35
kt likely. -BMuhlestein/DH
&&
.MARINE...A very strong frontal system will move across the
coastal waters today and into tonight, keeping winds and seas
elevated through Monday. Southerly gales will continue to
increase through the day with storm force gusts expected by this
afternoon. A coastal jet develops and likely persists through
this evening before the front pushes onshore. Strongest winds
expected over the central coastal waters where gusts of 50-60 kt
will be possible. Expect southwest winds to ease behind the front
sometime around midnight, but will remain around 20-25 kt through
Monday night.
Combined seas will also build today to around 20 feet later this
afternoon and remain elevated around 15 to 20 feet through
tonight. A westerly swell in the 15-18 ft range with a period of
14 seconds appears likely to push into the the waters on Monday
and persist through Tuesday morning. Seas in the mid teens will
then gradually subside but remain above 10 feet. A surface low
may try to spin up later Tuesday in the northeast Pacific and
move due east toward the southern Oregon coast. At this time the
threat of gale force winds with this system appears low. /DH
.BEACH HAZARDS...A perigean spring tide event will be occurring
between now and January 7th. This coupled with the persistent
southerly winds offshore will bring minor tidal overflow
flooding along the coast. Areas of concern will be low lying
areas near bays, estuaries, and the lower reaches of coastal
rivers. The total tide, the forecasted tide plus storm surge,
will reach its peak between 11 and 12 feet along the coast
around noon Sunday as well as Monday. In addition, the westerly
swell forecast to move into the waters Monday afternoon will
undoubtedly bring a sneaker wave threat but will remain out of
High Surf criteria.
-BMuhlestein
&&
.PQR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...Winter Storm Warning from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM PST
Monday for ORZ014-016.
Flood Watch from 6 PM PST this evening through Monday
afternoon for ORZ001>004-006>008-010-012.
Winter Storm Warning from 4 AM Monday to midnight PST Monday
night for ORZ010-012-013.
Winter Storm Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST
Monday for ORZ011.
Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 1 AM PST Monday for
ORZ006>008.
Flood Watch from 5 PM PST this afternoon through Monday
morning for ORZ005.
Coastal Flood Advisory until 2 PM PST this afternoon for
ORZ001-002.
Coastal Flood Advisory from 10 AM to 3 PM PST Monday for
ORZ001-002.
High Wind Warning until 4 AM PST Monday for ORZ001-002.
Winter Weather Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST
Monday for ORZ003.
High Wind Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 4 AM PST Monday
for ORZ003-004.
WA...Winter Storm Warning from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM PST
Monday for WAZ046.
Flood Watch from 6 PM PST this evening through Monday
afternoon for WAZ039.
Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 1 AM PST Monday for
WAZ039.
Flood Watch from 5 PM PST this afternoon through Monday
morning for WAZ020>022.
Coastal Flood Advisory until 2 PM PST this afternoon for
WAZ021.
Coastal Flood Advisory from 10 AM to 3 PM PST Monday for
WAZ021.
Winter Weather Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST
Monday for WAZ020.
High Wind Warning until 10 PM PST this evening for WAZ021.
Winter Storm Warning from 4 PM this afternoon to 4 PM PST
Monday for WAZ019.
Winter Storm Warning from 7 PM this evening to 4 PM PST Monday
for WAZ040.
PZ...Storm Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 10 PM PST this
evening for PZZ250-270.
Gale Warning until 1 PM PST this afternoon for PZZ250-255-270-
275.
Storm Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 3 AM PST Monday for
PZZ255-275.
Small Craft Advisory until 4 AM PST Monday for PZZ210.
&&
www.weather.gov/portland
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www.twitter.com/NWSPortlandThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
5 high wind, 5 heavy snow, 2 high surf, 2 flood, 2 coastal flood, 1 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong south winds were reported along the north Oregon coast with sustained winds between 45 and 55 mph with a peak gust to 77 mph at Garibaldi (GARO3.) Around 2030PST tree branches were reported by ODOT over highway 26 near Necanicum resulting in traffic delays.
The seas at buoy 46050 (20NM West of Newport, OR) rose above 24 feet at 11 seconds which would bring high surf conditions to the coastline. Seas peaked at 30 feet at 12 seconds on 1/3/2022 at 1940PST. High Surf conditions continued at times through 1/3/2022 at 0540PST, then seas gradually subsided.
The seas at buoy 46029 (20NM West of Columbia River Mouth) rose to 26 feet at 11 seconds which would bring high surf conditions to the coastline. High Surf conditions continued at times through 1/3/2022 at 1640PST, then seas gradually subsided.
Strong south winds were reported along the central Oregon coast with maximum sustained winds between 35 and 75 mph. A peak gust of 86 mph occurred on the Yaquina Bay Bridge (ODT38). There was a downed tree and powerlines over highway 229 near Kernville at 2300PST.
Strong south winds were reported in the Coast Range of Northwest Oregon. Mt. Hebo (AR658) had a maximum sustained wind of 38 mph with a peak gust to 85 mph.
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 inches snowfall. Another site, Red Hill SNOTEL (REDO3) at 4410 feet received 18 inches of snow in 6 hours, on the 3rd between 0200PST to 0800PST. US-20 over Santiam Pass was closed due to heavy snow.
Heavy snow and ice accumulation resulted in the closure of I-84, a major transportation corridor connecting western and eastern Oregon and Washington. Around 24 inches of snow fell in Stevenson, WA. In the Multnomah Falls area along I-84, 5 inches of snow fell with an unknown amount of ice accumulation, leading to the highway closure.
A very active frontal system brought heavy snow to the Columbia River Gorge on the 3rd with snow totals between 12 and 22 inches. This resulted in the closure of I-84, a major transportation corridor connecting western and eastern Oregon and Washington.
Strong south winds were reported in the Central Coast Range with maximum sustain winds around 40 mph with a peak gust of 96 mph at Cape Perpetua (AV549). Near Deadwood, dozens of limbs snapped off Alder trees and dozens of conifers uprooted along Indian Creek Road. In addition, over a dozen trees had fallen across North Fork Siuslaw road between Brickerville and Minerva.
A very active frontal system brought heavy snow to the Northern Oregon Cascades Foothills on the 3rd with snow totals of 11 to 15 inches.
Strong south wind of 38 mph with a peak gust of 71 mph was reported by the Trout Creek RAWS (TCFO3).
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.
The gauge on the Marys River near Philomath rose above flood stage of 20 feet around 0920PST, crested at major flood stage of 21.0 feet at 1500 PST, then dropped below flood stage on the 5th at 0340PST.
Highway 126 at Cushman was closed due to high water caused by a combination of high tide of 11.9 feet as measured at the South Beach tide gauge, and rising of the Siuslaw river due to recent heavy rain. This event ranked #2 for highest tide at the Garibaldi tide gauge.
During this time high seas and high river levels in the area contributed to the flooding. As a result, the tide peaked around 12.5 feet around 1300PST at the Astoria tide gauge. This event ranked #1 for highest tides at the Astoria and Cape Disappointment tide gauges, 12.5 feet and 11.8 feet (MLLW) respectively.
A very active frontal system brought heavy snow to the Cascade Foothills in Lane County on the 3rd and 4th. Railroad Overpass SNOTEL (RROO3) at 2680 feet had a snow total of 7 inches.
The gauge on the Luckiamute River near Suver rose above flood stage of 27 feet at 0900PST, crested at 27.2 feet at 1315PST, then dropped below flood stage at 2020PST.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oregon in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Oregon, January 2022
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: 1004223, 1004262, 1004225, 1004224, 1004874, 1004931, 1004958, 1004961, 1004264, 1004936, 1004876, 1004945, 1004267, 1004272, 1004255, 1004952, 1004268.