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Seattle Weather Extremes
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Many of these events not only affect Washington, but impact other surrounding Pacific Northwest states.
Well, there are have been many different demonstrations of weather extremes that have occurred here over the past 100 years, everything from windstorms to flooding to snowstorms. Below is a list from the National Weather Service of the top ten weather-related events that have happened in Washington State during the 1900s. Most of these come from the latter half of the century because more weather-related data was recorded then, but there are some extreme weather events that go back to the early part of the century.
Number 10 - November 1990 (Statewide Flooding)
Several rivers in both western and eastern Washington flooded and caused two deaths, an estimated $250 million in damage, and the I-90 floating bridge over Lake Washington sank.
Number 9 - January 1916 (Snowstorm)
On February 1st, 21.5 inches of snow fell, resulting in the most snowfall ever recorded in a 24-hour period in Seattle. In total, 58 inches of snow fell during January and February which pretty much put the whole region at a standstill.
Number 8 - February 1996 (Flooding)
More flooding in western and southeast Washington that caused $800 million in damage throughout the region (including Oregon and Idaho).
Floodwaters carried logs and other debris into backyards along the North Umpqua River near Winchester during the November 1996 floods. (Photograph by Jerry Redfern, Roseburg, Oregon, News Review; used by permission.)
Number 7 - April 5, 1972 (Tornado)
There were more tornado deaths in Washington in 1972 than in any other state. An F3 tornado touched down in Vancouver followed by another F3 west of Spokane and an F2 tornado in Stevens county.
Number 6 - March 1, 1910 (Avalanche)
This was the deadliest avalanche in US history, and caused the deaths of 96 people when two trains were swept off the tracks into a ravine.
Number 5 - May 18, 1980 (Mount St. Helens Erupts)
Ash made it all the way to parts of Eastern Washington and looked like snow falling. On a side note, my mother-in-law was living in Seattle when the eruption happened.
Number 4 - August 1910 (Forest Fires)
This massive forest fire created it's own weather, causing ships in the Pacific to be lost in the smoke and the smoke even reached the Atlantic! This fire was actually the catalyst for America's conservation efforts.
Number 3 - January 1950 (Blizzard)
This was the 2nd greatest snowfall in Seattle's history, with 21.4 inches of snow falling. This winter was the was the coldest one in record for Seattle with an average temperature of just over 34 degrees.
Number 2 - May/June 1948 (Flooding)
This flooding was caused by the spring snow melting and lasted an incredible 45 days throughout Idaho, Washington, and all the way to the Pacific Ocean (along the Columbia River).
Number 1 - October 12, 1962 (Columbus Day Windstorm)
And the greatest Seattle weather extreme? According to the National Weather Service, this was the "strongest widespread non-hurricane wind storm to strike the continental US during the 1900s." Forty-six people died and $750 million worth of timber was blown down, with added property damage of $235 million.
Hopefully this history of weather in the Northwest doesn't keep you away! These Seattle weather extremes don't happen too often so you'll probably be OK :)
Back from Seattle weather extremes.