After an extended vacation that started in January, La Nina returned and unpacked her bags by the end of February.
The charts says it all.
And it’s the way we ended February 2011 that caused so many mudslides in Oregon and Washington. Still, the month overall was much different than the first month of winter, December 2010.
Western Oregon, SW Washington Rainfall
- Astoria: 7.42″ or 94% of average
- Salem: 4.31″ or 85% of average
- Portland: 4.45″ or 103% of average
- Vancouver: 4.45″ or 92% of average
Northwest Sees Unusually Cool Temperatures In February 2011
All of the cities on our report card were either below average or well below average when it comes to temperatures for the month. Something that is more common during La Nina winters. In Washington, at Sea-Tac airport, this was the 7th coldest February on record. Brrr. And don’t forget the 3, 6, 9 even 12″ of snow in the foothills on the outskirts of the I-5 Corridor and for the Columbia River Gorge and Coast Range.
Mt. Hood and Northwest Snow Pack Increases
This is essential for drinking water, agriculture and hydro-electric power. Not to mention water skiing, rafting and boating on many of our reservoirs this summer.
Big finish at Government Camp, Oregon. February 28, 2011.
- Mt. Hood snow-pack increased by 5%
- Oregon statewide snow-pack increased by 5%
- Washington snow-pack also increased by about 5%
