Washington is no stranger to snow, but we’re accustomed to enjoying at least a few weeks of fall before the flurries begin. Last month marked the earliest snowfall in 100 years – and if that’s any indication of what lies ahead this season, we’re in for a wild ride.
Fall has only just begun, but snow is already falling in the Evergreen State. The first flurry this year was on September 29, and it took Washingtonians by surprise.
Flickr/lou-elke
Although the snow wasn’t terribly widespread, it still produced some impressive totals for this early in the season.
Flickr/brewbooks The largest accumulation was just north of Spokane, with a whopping 4.5 inches recorded. The storm broke the record for earliest measurable snowfall since record-keeping began in 1881.
The Cascades received their fair share of coverage, as well - anywhere between one and four inches.
Flickr/brewbooks Mountain roads remained icy and slick for several days following the storm. Traction tires were required for drivers on Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes.
Since this record-breaking weather event, yet another deluge has struck Spokane, Washington.
Flickr/puroticorico More than three inches fell overnight on Tuesday, resulting in power outages for more than 20,000 residents due to downed power lines hit by tree branches that had snapped beneath the weight of the snow. Due to these outages and dangerous road conditions, the Spokane School District cancelled classes on Wednesday.
Kellogg and Grangeville were also under winter weather advisories until Wednesday morning.
Flickr/edsuom They received between three and five inches, which was significantly more than the predicted amount.
Between these two events, Spokane shattered two snowfall records in the span of just a few weeks.
Flickr/jaisril The second storm broke the record for the largest early snowfall measured at the Spokane Airport, which had previously been set in 1981.
If that says anything about how the season will unfold, we’re in for a wild ride.
Flickr/russilwvong Has any snow fallen in your area so far this year? If so, how much and what are your thoughts about it?
The Farmers’ Almanac predictions for Winter 2019-20 suggest that Washington is in for a chilly winter with average precipitation levels – we just didn’t expect to see snow so early in the season!
Flickr/lou-elke
Flickr/brewbooks
The largest accumulation was just north of Spokane, with a whopping 4.5 inches recorded. The storm broke the record for earliest measurable snowfall since record-keeping began in 1881.
Mountain roads remained icy and slick for several days following the storm. Traction tires were required for drivers on Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes.
Flickr/puroticorico
More than three inches fell overnight on Tuesday, resulting in power outages for more than 20,000 residents due to downed power lines hit by tree branches that had snapped beneath the weight of the snow. Due to these outages and dangerous road conditions, the Spokane School District cancelled classes on Wednesday.
Flickr/edsuom
They received between three and five inches, which was significantly more than the predicted amount.
Flickr/jaisril
The second storm broke the record for the largest early snowfall measured at the Spokane Airport, which had previously been set in 1981.
Flickr/russilwvong
Has any snow fallen in your area so far this year? If so, how much and what are your thoughts about it?
What are your thoughts on these record-breaking winter conditions? Are you prepared for what could lie ahead this season? Let us know how you feel, and check out our previous article for more photos of a snow-covered Evergreen State.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Spokane, WA, USA
