A significant winter weather event impacted portions of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Particularly hard hit was the Portland and Vancouver metro area.
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.
A significant winter weather event impacted portions of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Particularly hard hit was the Portland and Vancouver metro area. A crippling snowstorm impacted the Portland and Vancouver metro area on the afternoon of February 22, continuing into the night. The storm brought widespread 6 to 12 inch snowfall totals to the area. Snowfall distribution was greatly influenced by mesoscale banding. The timing of this event also magnified its impacts.
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 Feb 21, 3:58 AM PST, 1 hour 2 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Portland OR
358 AM PST Tue Feb 21 2023
.SYNOPSIS...Preparing for an active winter weather pattern over
the next several days with winter precipitation and cold
temperatures. Looking at a variety of precipitation types
throughout the region ranging from moderate to heavy snow over
the Coast Range and Cascades, to a rain/snow mix in the
lowlands. Towards the end of the week will see much colder
temperatures which could bring some of the lowest values thus
far this winter.
&&
.SHORT TERM...THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT...The previously advertised
pattern change is well underway this morning as the leading edge
of a potent upper level trough descends upon the Pacific
Northwest from the north, placing northwest Oregon and southwest
Washington within the left exit region of a 145 kt jet streak
at the base of the trough as it moves south across the area. At
the surface, a cold front is racing southeast across the
forecast area as of 3 AM and should clear Lane County by 6 AM,
leaving widespread mountain snow and low elevation rain showers
with gusty west-northwest winds in its wake today. Temperatures
aloft will continue to plummet through this morning as colder
air filters into the region, with 500 mb temperatures falling to
around -32 to -34 C and 850 mb temps to around -5 C by later
this morning. This will correspond to daytime highs running
about 10 degrees cooler than Monday in most locations. Winter
weather headlines remain on track as snow levels fall to 1500
feet by later this morning and favorable orographic flow and
upper level support combine to produce heavy snow across the
Cascades and Coast Range into Wednesday morning. Winds gusting
as high as 50-60 mph in the higher terrain will also produce
areas of blowing snow and contribute to significant travel
difficulties in these areas through Wednesday. Additionally,
steepening mid level lapse rates pushing 8 C/km coupled with
favorable jet dynamics will support a slight chance of
thunderstorms across much of the area into this evening. Showers
and thunderstorms will be capable of producing abundant small
hail that will have the potential to quickly accumulate on
surfaces in heavier showers given the cold air mass and lower
snow levels.
The cool and showery regime persists through Wednesday and
Wednesday night as the trough continues to dig over the western
CONUS and a surface low forms in the lee of Vancouver Island and
drops south across the area. May have to eventually extend the
winter weather headlines a bit further into Wednesday afternoon
based on recent model QPF trends, although the general trend
should still be for diminishing snowfall rates as orographic
and upper level support begin to wane. The picture remains about
the same regarding low elevation snowfall as snow levels fall
below 1000 feet late this evening and then continue to dip to
near the valley floors through Wednesday morning. Probabilistic
guidance still gives about a 30-50 percent chance for an inch of
snow across both the coastal and interior lowlands Wednesday
morning through Thursday morning. Any accumulating snow in these
areas is likely to be highly variable from location to location
given the showery nature of the pattern. Some models are
notably holding onto QPF a bit longer into Thursday morning as
the core of the upper low is slightly slower to clear the area,
which would be more conducive to snow sticking on surfaces
given the colder air expected to be in place by that time.
Otherwise, the focus still starts to shift from wintry
precipitation to primarily cold temperatures by Thursday as the
upper low starts to drop south of the region and precipitation
tapers off from north to south by Thursday afternoon. Thursday
will feature the coldest air mass so far this season with 500 mb
temps around -38 C and 850 mb temps near -10 C across the area,
good for about 3 standard deviations below the mean for mid-
late February. Guidance has started to converge on Thursday
morning lows in the low to mid 20s in the Willamette Valley and
the mid to upper 20s at the coast, with daytime highs
unlikely to get out of the 30s and possibly even much above
freezing in some inland valley locations. Additionally, winds
will shift offshore by Thursday, with easterly winds out of the
Gorge contributing to potentially dangerous wind chill values
in the single digits across the Portland metro by Thursday
morning. /CB
.LONG TERM...FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...Cold temperatures remain
the primary forecast concern from Friday into Saturday as the
region settles into dry northeast flow on the backside of the
low. Daytime temperatures will once again struggle to get out
of the 30s in the lowlands on Friday. Meanwhile, clearing skies
will produce optimal radiational cooling conditions overnight
and allow temperatures to drop into the low 20s or possibly the
teens in the lowlands and into the single digits in the Cascades
both Friday and Saturday morning. Saturday also continues to
trend drier as ensemble clusters converge on some semblance of
weak ridging poking into the region to start the weekend.
Ensembles still favor more zonal flow becoming established by
Sunday, with another system possibly approaching the region and
bringing the next significant chance for precipitation Saturday
night into Sunday. /CB
&&
.AVIATION...12z TAFs: At 10Z a cold frontal boundary was sliding
south through central and southern Oregon. Water vapor satellite
imagery revealed a strong west to northwest jet stream over the
forecast area. This is the leading edge of a much colder air mass
that will settle over the region during the TAF period. A showery
pattern will prevail through 12Z Wednesday with mixed VFR/MVFR
conditions for the coast and inland valleys. MVFR will be most
prevalent in and around showers. West to northwest orographic flow
will promote enhanced shower activity over the higher terrain for
frequent mountain obscurement. A reinforcing cold front pushes
through the region Tuesday afternoon/evening. Very cold air aloft
will result in enhanced instability over the coast and coastal
valleys for a threat of thunderstorms during the TAF period.
For detailed Pac NW aviation weather information, go online to:
http://weather.gov/zse
KPDX AND APPROACHES...Mixed VFR/MVFR conditions will prevail
throughout the TAF period with conditions tending more toward MVFR
closer to higher terrain and with mountain obscuration over the
Cascades. A reinforcing cold front will likely bring another period
of MVFR Tue afternoon and evening. Moderate W-SW low-level flow
will prevail at the sfc, with occasional gusts 20-25 kt throughout
the TAF period. Weishaar
&&
.MARINE...At 130 AM water vapor satellite imagery revealed a cold
frontal boundary over the Oregon waters sliding to the south.
Northwesterly wind fetch has pushed into the south Washington and
north Oregon waters early Tuesday morning. At 1 AM gusts to
around 35 kt were noted at buoy 46029 and Clatsop Spit. Near storm
force gusts were noted over the north and central Washington
waters. No changes to the current Gale Warnings. Models continue
to be in good agreement showing 30 to 35 kt sustained wind speeds
with gusts to 45 kt over the outer waters through early Wednesday
morning.
A much colder air mass will settle over the waters beginning
Tuesday. The coldest period will be Wednesday through Thursday.
Gusty east wind develops over the south Washington and north
Oregon waters Wednesday night then gradually spreads south
Thursday. Minimum temperatures in the 20s Wednesday and Thursday
nights, especially along the south Washington and north Oregon
coastline, in combination with the gusty east wind will result in
a slight chance for freezing spray Thursday morning, especially
for areas around the Columbia River bar.
These strong northwest winds with their persistent direction will
provide a substantial fetch region allowing seas to build into the
mid to upper 20 foot range. The latest WCWave10 guidance shows
peak seas to 26 feet at buoy 46089. Model guidance has been
consistently too low, so seas to 30 feet are not out of the
question, especially beyond 10 nm. These waves decay to 19 to 22
feet as they move into the surf zone. Mariners are encouraged to
read the Offshore Waters forecast provided by the Ocean Prediction
Center. Seas are expected to fall below 20 ft over the far north
waters around midday Wednesday, but not until Wednesday evening
for the far southern part of PZZ273. Wave heights subside under 10
ft over the northern waters late Thursday and late Thursday night
or Friday morning over the south as easterly flow persists.
Another marine hazard will be potential thunderstorms Tuesday
through Wednesday. Very cold air aloft will enhance lift and
instability for the threat of thunderstorms. Small hail and
erratic wind gusts to 35 kt will be possible near any
thunderstorm.
There will be a brief lull in the weather action late this week,
but models show another upper level low pressure settling over the
northeast Pacific Sunday into early next week.
The new moon today will produce stronger tidal currents during
the evening ebb cycle. Those moving in and out of harbors and
crossing coastal bars should use caution and be aware of any bar
restrictions in place. This strong tidal cycle will end Wednesday.
Weishaar
&&
.BEACH HAZARDS...Forecast wave heights 20 to 25 feet are expected
to impact the surf zone beginning Tuesday morning. No changes to
the high surf advisory. Our local Surf Energy and Coastal Flood
Index calculator yields a peak energy flux around 150 units. This
value is close to high surf warning criteria (160 units). Fortunately,
the dominant swell direction of 290 to 310 degrees will temper
the energy impinging upon the shore line. This 20 to 30 degree
offset from westerly results in flux values closer to 130 to 140.
Nevertheless, breaker heights of 25 to 30 feet are likely through
Wednesday morning. Random, rogue waves will be much higher.
Weishaar
&&
.PQR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...High Surf Advisory until 10 AM PST Wednesday for Central Oregon
Coast-North Oregon Coast.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Wednesday for Coast Range of
Northwest Oregon.
Winter Storm Warning until 10 AM PST Wednesday for Cascade
Foothills in Lane County-Central Coast Range of Western
Oregon-Northern Oregon Cascade Foothills.
Winter Storm Warning until 10 AM PST Wednesday for Cascades in
Lane County-Northern Oregon Cascades.
WA...High Surf Advisory until 10 AM PST Wednesday for South
Washington Coast.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Wednesday for South
Washington Cascade Foothills.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Wednesday for South
Washington Cascades.
PZ...Gale Warning until 10 PM PST this evening for Columbia River Bar.
Hazardous Seas Warning from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM PST
Wednesday for Columbia River Bar.
Gale Warning until 4 AM PST Wednesday for Coastal waters from
Cape Shoalwater WA to Florence OR out 10 NM.
Hazardous Seas Warning from 4 AM to 4 PM PST Wednesday for
Coastal waters from Cape Shoalwater WA to Florence OR out
10 NM.
Gale Warning until 4 PM PST Wednesday for Coastal waters from
Cape Shoalwater WA to Florence OR from 10 to 60 NM.
&&
www.weather.gov/portland
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www.twitter.com/NWSPortland11 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Snow began falling around 0900 PST with significant accumulations during the afternoon, then tapering off around 2230 PST. A total of 6 to 12 inches fell. Locally 8 to 10 inches in the Scotts Mills and Stayton areas per CoCoRaHS.
Snotel sites indicated a 12 hour period in which 1 inch per hour fell while NOHRSC analysis shows general 1 to 2 feet of snow through the period.
Around 5 to 10 inches of snow fell in the Oakridge and other foothill areas per NORHSC analysis. The Railroad Overpass Snotel had 12 inches of new snow.
Snow began falling around 1100 PST with significant accumulations during the afternoon, then tapering off around 0800 PST on the 23rd. A total of 3 to 6 inches fell.
Snow amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches in the Van Duzer Corridor, to up to 8 to 15 inches or more in the higher elevations and along the eastern slopes of the Coast Range. NOHRSC analysis shows up to 2 feet near Mt Hebo. It appears Saddle Mountain may have received as much as 28 inches of snow per Snotel data. Another burst of snow brought 6 to 12 inches of snow, with the heaviest totals in western Washington County along the east slopes of the Coast Range.
Light snow began to around 0900 PST, but the heaviest snow fell during the afternoon through early evening hours. Around 6 to 12 inches of snow fell in the Portland/Vancouver metro area by 2230 PST. This resulted in snarled traffic and numerous traffic accidents. Many vehicles were caught up in the traffic jam well into the night. Portland International Airport closed briefly. Schools and government offices were closed for up to two days following the event. Over 80 Trimet buses were stranded due to the rapidly deteriorating road conditions. Hundreds of cars were abandoned on area roadways, even on freeways.
Snow began falling around 0900 PST with significant accumulations during the afternoon, then tapering off around 2230 PST. A total of 6 to 12 inches fell. Wide variation in snowfall totals, ranging from a couple inches near Cascade Locks to over a foot closer to Rooster Rock, Corbett, and Washougal.
Downtown Salem only had 1 inch of snow, but the suburbs received 2 to 6 inches of snow.
Locations south of Goble received up to 6 inches of snow per the NOHRSC analysis.
Snow began falling around 2000 PST with significant accumulations shortly after tapering off around 1400 PST on the 23rd. A total of 3 to 8 inches fell between Seaside and Newport, with up to 12 inches in the inland suburbs of Tillamook. Schools and some county offices were closed for up to 2 days. There were reports of fallen trees and resulting power outages. Oregon Department of Transportation reported road closures on OR 229 Siletz Highway and OR 34 Alsea Highway.
Snow began falling around 2000 PST with significant accumulations shortly after tapering off around 1400 PST on the 23rd. A total of 3 to 8 inches fell, with up to 12 inches in the inland suburbs of Tillamook. Schools were closed as well as some county offices for two days. Oregon Department of Transportation reported closures on US 101 near Neskowin. Power went out at many coastal locations at 2100 PST on the 22nd.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oregon in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Oregon, February 2023
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: 1086484, 1100641, 1100642, 1086530, 1100643, 1084482, 1086487, 1100647, 1100646, 1086528, 1086526.