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The February 11–14, 2021 North American storm complex is a developing storm complex, winter storm, and ice storm in the Western United States, which impacted the Pacific Northwest, bringing heavy snow and ice accumulation and is expected to impact the Central and Northeastern United States within a few days. It was unofficially named Winter Storm Tabitha by The Weather Channel.

Meteorological history

Strong East winds from a high pressure system of cold air from Canada moved across Washington and Oregon.

Those winds blowing east through the Columbia River Gorge were expected to produce freezing temperatures in the Portland metropolitan area on President's Day weekend and the days prior. Simultaneously, two systems from the Pacific Ocean were expected to result in snow and freezing rain in the Portland area due to the aforementioned influx of cold, arctic air.

The first system arrived on Thursday afternoon, producing snow accumulation in the Olympia, Washington area. In Portland, temperatures were not cold enough to result in much more than a dusting from light snow flurries. Overnight, the second system of moisture arrived and produced steady snow and freezing rain in the Portland area throughout Friday and into Saturday early morning. By Saturday daybreak, Clark County, Washington had received from 7-12 inches of snow.

According to Portland National Weather Service, The 6.1 inches of snowfall at the Portland NWS office Feb 12 ties the airport Feb daily record of 6.1 inches set Feb 19, 1993.

The event proved to be historic for the Portland area in the month of February. The last remaining winter precipitation dissipated Saturday evening, as South winds are expected to bring temperatures above freezing on Sunday as rain returns to the Pacific Northwest region.

Effects

Precipitation type and amount varied in the Portland metropolitan area from 10 inches of snow to 1.5 inches of ice.

The storm brought large amounts of snow and ice to the Pacific Northwest region of the United States,specifically the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and Olympia, Washington area south of Seattle. The storm has left 200,000 people without power in Oregon and Washington state as of Saturday February 13.

Marion County in Oregon, including Canby received an inch to an inch-and-a-half of ice, causing widespread damage to trees, including downed trees causing damage to some homes.

9 counties of Oregon were placed in a severe winter weather state of emergency.

See also

• January 31 – February 2, 2011 North American blizzard
• February 2013 North American blizzard
• March 2013 nor'easter
• December 2014 North American storm complex
• January 2016 United States blizzard
• January 31 – February 3, 2021 nor'easter
• February 2021 North American ice storm

References

1. "Winter Storm Tabitha to Arrive in the East this Weekend". weather.com. The Weather Company. February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
2. "Winter storm brings inches of snow to Clark County". The Columbian.
3. https://www.koin.com/weather/winter-storm-warnings-widespread-impacts-portland-willamette-valley/#:~:text=According%20to%20Portland%20National%20Weather,set%20Feb%2019%2C%201993%E2%80%9D.
4. "Winter storm warning in effect until Monday throughout Northwest; more snow, freezing rain expected". opb.
5. "200K powerless as storm ravages Oregon, Washington". February 13, 2021.
6. "KGW reporter notebook: Snow, ice lead to downed trees, power lines across Portland metro area". kgw.com.
7. "Storm puts 9 Oregon counties in state of emergency". February 13, 2021.

External links

• 2021 Storm Summaries from the Weather Prediction Center

• 2020–21 North American winter
• Ice storms
• February 2021 events in North America
• February 2021 events in the United States