Brrr! Seattle gets winter cold out of British Columbia's 'Mighty Fraser' River

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A river living up to its moniker "the Mighty Fraser" carries winter cold and gusty winds across the border from British Columbia, at times giving us blizzards and even creating the water condition called "freezing spray."

The latest storm forecast for this weekend from the National Weather Service defines where Fraser River weather hits hardest: "Preliminary Wind Forecast: Strongest winds expected across western Whatcom County, San Juan County, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Gusts may peak to 50-60 miles per hour at times."

What is this river and why does it have so much impact on us?

University of Washington climate expert Cliff Mass explained in a 2009 post. Two great river systems penetrate the Cascade Range. The Columbia River creates ice storms in the Portland area. As to the Fraser, Mass wrote:

"The most substantial weakness in the Cascades north of the Columbia River is the Fraser River valley, located just north of Bellingham.

"When cold, dense air fills the interior basin of British Columbia, a big pressure difference occurs down the Fraser, and as a result cool, dry air pushes along its axis to the southeast."

The winds out of the Fraser River can, at times, meet a cold moist system moving south out of the Gulf of Alaska. The result can be the mother of all snow events.

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/weather/article/Brrr-Seattle-weather-gets-cold-out-of-BC-13595751.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailynewsletterspi&utm_term=spi

[RainCaster]

1. And sometimes...

that cold air from the Frasier River Valley meets up with the Pineapple Express. Then we get really deep snow. Well, for this area anyhow. I think it was '87 and we had knee deep snow and a 10 day power outage.

[MFM008]

2. not to mention

4 to 8 inches all over ......

[House of Roberts]

3. Sounds more like the 'Mighty Freezer' river.

[pandr32]

4. Oh great!

Just when I am headed to the area

[Haggis for Breakfast]

5. Up here in Whatcom County (WA), we're about six miles from the BC border,

we had single digit temperatures, furious winds, power outages and frozen water pipes the last couple of days.

I think the Mighty Frazier should be called the Mighty Freezer.

[customerserviceguy]

6. I do remember

those Fraser River blasts, but the polar vortex in NY was way worse. Glad to be in SC these days!

[uppityperson]

7. Grocery store was packed yesterday with people buying cart loads of food

I was out of coffee and low on cat food, would hate to not be able to have those. But it made me recognize again how poorly people are set up for an emergency.

I remember 1996, with 3 feet of softly fallen snow overnight. I'm in the crosshairs of the prediction this time, could be a good weekend for my family unless the winds take out power lines.

[GP6971]

8. On my way to Home Depot I drove by Costco today and it was packed

and long lines at the gas station. Home Depot wasn't that crowded though.

[uppityperson]

9. 4" since 11. It sure is pretty out. Sequim reports a foot.

[GP6971]

10. Our snow started

right at noon. Real heavy at times, but it wasn't sticking to the roads...at most just under an inch which has mostly melted by now. No snow now and the sun is trying to break through and it's still above freezing.