It Was So Cold In Washington In 1916, Temperatures Stayed Below Freezing For Weeks
By Sherri Adams|Published December 20, 2022
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Sherri Adams
Author
Sherri Adams is a writer, photographer, and travel enthusiast from the Pacific Northwest. She has always been passionate about writing and the opportunities for connection through the written word. When she’s not writing, you can often find her at the seashore with her toes in the sand and her nose in a book.
When you think of weather in Washington State, especially the city of Seattle, you might be inclined to think of rain. So, you might be surprised to learn that in 1916, Western Washington was hit with the biggest snowstorm of the 1900s with frigid temperatures and record-breaking snowfall that immobilized the Puget Sound area for days. Read on to learn more about Seattle’s Big Snow Of 1916.
1916 started with an exceptionally cold January in Seattle.
Freezing temperatures ushered in the new year in 1916 with weeks of frigid cold. Over two feet of snow already blanketed Western Washington by the end of January.
With its many hills and narrow roads, Seattleites had difficulty navigating the icy city streets.
Unusually high accumulations of compact snow and ice lined the streets and sidewalks of downtown Seattle, but the people of the Puget Sound area were completely unprepared for what was to come.
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On February 1, 1916, snow began falling steadily onto the already snow-covered streets.
For the next 24 hours, the snow continued to fall, adding another almost two feet of accumulation on top of the two feet that had already fallen, paralyzing the city.
City workers and snowplows worked tirelessly to keep the roads clear. Some folks braved the cleared streets, but their cars pushed the snow and slush back into the roads, creating huge balls of snow and rendering the streets impassable.
People worked together to shovel the nearly four feet of snow that covered their neighborhoods. There were no modern snow blowers, no GOR-TEX snow pants, and the work was exhausting.
The snow finally turned to rain, causing new problems for the people of Seattle.
Warming temperatures brought a mix of rain and snow and weighed down the already heavy snow on rooftops. The ornate dome of the landmark St. James Cathedral collapsed under the weight of wet snow and was destroyed. The pressure from the collapse blew out windows and caused pews to be tossed about. Fortunately, no one was in the building at the time.
Eventually, the snow melted enough to allow people to return to their daily activities. Rain washed the snow from the streets and bridges, and the people of Seattle were able to resume life as usual. We’ve seen a lot of snowstorms in the Puget Sound area since then, but the Big Snow of 1916 still holds the record in Seattle for the most snow in a 24-hour period.
Are you a fan of snow? Have you ever had to shovel your way out of your driveway? Tell us about your snow experience in the comments.
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