December 2008 North American snowstorms

[1] The series of snowstorms broke a 44-year-old record for the snowiest Christmas ever, with up to 28 inches (71 cm) of snow accumulated in some parts of the South Coast.

Higher elevations and cities northeast of Vancouver, such as Coquitlam, received over 30 centimeters (12 in) of snow with each of the storms.

[6] Two avalanches occurred near Fernie, British Columbia, as a result of the snowstorms that dumped approximately 27 inches (69 cm) in the region.

Areas like Toronto saw over 60 cm (24 in) in December and near Lake Huron and Georgian Bay snowfall amounts were in excess of 100+cm.

The City of Portland reported spending an estimated $2.17 million on snow removal, deicing of roads, and employee overtime due to the record snowfall.

[12] Hundreds of flights arriving and departing from Portland International Airport were canceled, leaving passengers and luggage stranded.

[14] The winter weather greatly affected the Seattle area, where snow brought the city to a standstill and temperatures reached record lows.

The low moved southeastward through the base of the upper-level trough axis and by the morning of December 17 was located along the coast of southern California.

By 12Z on December 17, the low was accompanied by a 120+ knot jet stream that was located across the Mojave Desert (Figure 1).

As the low approached southern California, the Mojave Desert was located under the left front quadrant of the jet, an area of typically favorable for lift.

Officially 3.6 inches of snow fell at the National Weather Service Office, which is located 2 miles southwest of McCarran International Airport.

A maximum of 10 inches of snow was measured at the residence of a National Weather Service employee in southeast Henderson, near Railroad Pass, at an elevation of just under 2400 feet.