National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Areas of Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall Through This Weekend

Severe thunderstorms which can bring large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes will be possible over parts of the central U.S. through this weekend. Thunderstorms with heavy to excessive rainfall moving from Texas into the mid-Mississippi Valley through this weekend may produce areas of flooding. Read More >

Another in a series of strong winter storms hit the Inland Northwest on the 6th and 7th of February. Heavy snow fell at a number of locations. But the big story with this storm was the wind, which gusted into the 60 mph range in southeast Washington and the southern Panhandle.

Peak Wind

These strong winds caused extensive drifting in the Columbia Basin, on the Palouse, and in the Spokane area. Below are a couple of pictures taken at the NWS Spokane office showing the blowing and drifting snow. Click here to download a short movie loop.

Blowing Snow, WFO Spokane

 

Blowing Snow, WFO Spokane

 

By Ron Miller