Ice Storm in Washington

Events

127

Deaths

4

Injuries

7

Damage

$16 million

• Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Washington, January 11 to 17, 20245 deaths · 56 kt wind · 18 eventsA modified Arctic front moved into Western Washington. After producing some locally heavy snowfall on the Olympic Peninsula, it was followed by strong Fraser River outflow winds and several days of cold temperatures when a number of record low temperature records were set.
• Ice Storm in Washington, January 19, 20121 death · 2 injured · $7.0 million · 6 eventsAfter varying amounts of snowfall of up to 18 inches, freezing rain up to about one inch caused about a half million power outages, cancelled over 300 flights at SeaTac Airport and was responsible for one death.
• Ice Storm in Washington, November 19, 19961 death · $7.0 million · 1 eventBefore the freezing rain hit there was already 2 to 4 inches of snow on the ground. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of freezing rain fell over the Spokane area, knocking out power to 50% of the people and forcing the mayor to declare a state of emergency.
• Blizzard and Ice Storm in Washington, February 11 to 15, 20211 death · $2.1 million · 10 eventsA deep upper trough drove an arctic airmass into southwest Washington. As multiple Pacific fronts moved over the area, a major elevation winter storm with heavy snow and freezing rain occurred over a multi-day period.
• Ice Storm in Washington, January 16 to 17, 19971 death · 5 injured · 1 eventOne traffic fatality, numerous traffic accidents, several personal injuries from slipping on ice.
• Ice Storm in Washington, February 8 to 9, 2017$700,000 · 4 eventsA Pacific frontal system combined with sub-freezing easterly flow across the Cascades passes and Fraser outflow brought a major episode of snow and freezing rain to the Cascades and Western Whatcom County.
• Ice Storm in Washington, December 29 to 30, 1996$500,000 · 1 eventHeavy snow in the Columbia River Gorge turned to freezing rain with heavy ice accumulation in the gorge.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Washington, January 10 to 14, 1998$250,000 · 4 eventsThe area of Southwest Washington and western Columbia River Gorge experienced the same storm as described in the narrative for Oregon zones 001-004 and 006-009. See that narrative for details.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Washington, January 17 to 18, 201743 eventsA well directed atmospheric river of Pacific moisture enhanced into widespread snow and freezing rain over eastern Washington during January 17th and 18th. Heavy snow impacted the mountains and valleys north and west of the Columbia Basin.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Washington, February 8 to 9, 201733 eventsDuring the afternoon of February 8th and into the morning of February 9th an atmospheric river of tropical origin moisture was directed into eastern Washington. Mild air with this moisture feed allowed snow levels to rise over the Columbia Basin.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Washington, January 3 to 5, 201530 eventsA slow moving Pacific winter storm system moved through the region and dumped heavy snow initially late Saturday and into Sunday Jan 3rd and 4th.
• Ice Storm and High Wind in Washington, January 17 to 18, 2017$20,000 · 68 kt wind · 6 eventsAn approaching low pressure system brought rain across the Columbia River Gorge, while cold air was trapped at the surface and was slow to clear out. This brought a tremendous amount of freezing rain to the Columbia Gorge, closing I-84 and SR-14 to travel through the Gorge.
• Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Washington, January 17 to 19, 202414 eventsA Pacific frontal system moving in Western Washington encountered a cold air mass already in place. This created an overrunning event that led to wintry precipitation across interior portions of the area from Whatcom County southward into King County.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Washington, January 16 to 21, 202413 eventsThe cold air mass remained in place from the initial arctic air mass with freezing temperatures continuing. Bouts of precipitation brought more freezing rain, snow as well.
• Ice Storm in Washington, January 6, 1996$16,000 · 1 eventFreezing rain was blamed for 42 accidents during the day. No injuries were reported. It also prevented Snoqualmie Pass ski area from opening that day.
• Ice Storm in Washington, December 22 to 24, 20229 eventsAfter a series of snow events in the lowlands and mountains of western Washington, a system off the Pacific brought a modifying airmass towards the area right before the Christmas holiday.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Washington, December 8 to 10, 2016$3,000 · 8 eventsAn approaching strong frontal system brought strong winds and a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain down to the Valley Floor.
• Ice Storm in Washington, January 17 to 18, 20177 eventsA major winter storm brought significant snow and ice to the region.
• Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Washington, December 14 to 16, 20096 eventsA moist Pacific airmass combined with cold air trapped near the surface to produce heavy snowfall and freezing rain across south central Washington.
• Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Washington, January 7 to 8, 20176 eventsA Pacific storm system brought widespread snow to the Pacific Northwest. Also significant ice accumulated in southeast Washington.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Washington, February 7 to 9, 201769 kt wind · 6 eventsA low pressure system approaching the Coast of Washington brought a warm front through on the 7th starting the snow in the Columbia Gorge, and the trailing cold front moved through on the 8th through the 9th bringing high winds to the Washington Coast and Willapa Hills as well…
• Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Washington, January 15 to 18, 20055 eventsA large, moist storm system moved up from the southwest from the tropics. This storm system dropped heavy snow on eastern Washington before raising snow levels to over 7000 feet by the evening of the 18th.
• Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Washington, December 28 to 29, 20174 eventsA Pacific system brought a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to south-central and southeast Washington.
• Ice Storm and High Wind in Washington, December 25, 19983 eventsA Christmas Day Pacific storm brought high winds to the coast and Kelso/Longview area, freezing rain to the Columbia River Gorge, and heavy rain to Southwest Washington, which contributed to a major flood episode a few days later.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Washington, February 8 to 9, 20143 eventsA Weather system brought additional snow and ice to Southwest Washington March 8th. This is the third cold weather event in a series where there was a widespread snow/ice event on March 7th that followed a widespread heavy snow event on the 6th.

Ice Storm everywhereEvery kind of event in Washington

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.