I have a headache after looking at all the forecast models and watching the development of the cold storm forming off the coast. Trying to figure out all the dynamics that could cause a heavy snowfall for our area. The National Weather Service had a winter storm watch out for Clark County as I wrote this column late Saturday afternoon.
This Super Bowl Sunday may turn out to be super snowstorm Sunday. Without giving all the technical jargon, we know that somewhere will get a really heavy snowfall, anywhere from 8 to 18 inches. This pattern reminds me of the heavy snow Clark County received in January 1980. The west portion of the county received the greatest. I measured 24 inches on the ground at my home in Hazel Dell. I remember driving out to Felida Elementary School and measuring nearly 3 feet!
It began as snow to our north and just a cold rain with snow gradually mixing in — and then those big wet flakes and, well, the rest is history. It snowed so heavily I could barely see across the street. Meanwhile, downtown Vancouver had very little. That may be the case this go-around, as a few miles will make a big difference.
On a warmer note, Saturday afternoon the temperature in Vancouver rose into the low 50s, which was the highest temperature that I could find anywhere in the Evergreen State. That was the warmest high since Jan. 19. After a cold January running 8 degrees below average, February going into Saturday was also 8 degrees below normal.
