The Pacific Northwest's biggest weather stories of 2024

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- This year's weather across the Pacific Northwest was one to remember with funnel clouds, record-breaking heat, and a major ice storm.

The Portland, Vancouver area sees far more than the stereotypical rain some might think. The 2024 year was a good representation of the wild weather that occurs in the Pacific Northwest.

Summer heat and sunshine feels like a distant memory with the current gray and rainy weather Portland's been seeing. Summer 2024 was a year for the record books across western Oregon and southwest Washington.

"We saw four days in the triple digits this year. Three of them came right around the Fourth of July weekend and celebrations," said KOIN 6 meteorologist Kelley Bayern.

She went on to explain that, "we had a three day streak in the triple digits and then the last 100-degree day came at the beginning of September when we hit 102 on the fifth."

The heat wasn't only impactful for those who work or live outside, but for recreational activities as well.

KOIN 6 forecaster Jamie Hudson explained the heat personally impacted her when she explained, "in the sand volleyball league I play in, our game was definitely canceled days in advance because we knew the heat was coming."

The summer months brought hot and dry conditions to much of the Pacific Northwest leading to an increased wildfire threat for the eastern half of the state of Oregon.

"We actually saw more acres burned here in Oregon than in 2020. Which I'm sure you'll remember as a very smokey year here. It's just we didn't get much smoke in Portland this year. Instead, it stayed out in central Oregon and the eastern side of the state," said Bayern.

If fires weren't scary enough, the severe weather threat was equally matched. Funnel clouds and tornados became a common occurrence.

"Well, the summertime is usually hot, dry, and smoky sometimes, but we can get quite the show from lightning and thunderstorms. My favorite weather event or my most memorable one happened around mid-August when we saw severe thunderstorms. A big outbreak across western Oregon and southwest Washington. We had about six thunderstorm warnings in place. We saw 2,500 lightning strikes around the Portland area and southwest Washington. And it also happened to be my wedding day. So, I was at the altar sharing my vows among booms of thunder and it certainly will be a day I never forecast," said Bayern.

The summer thunderstorms were definitely memorable for any brides of the day, but the most memorable moment for those on social media was the January ice storm.

"Remember the January snow and ice storm here in Portland? That clearly stuck out as the premier event so to speak of last winter," said KOIN 6 meteorologist Steve Pierce.

He went on to explain that, "Temperatures started out in the 30s in the morning hours of that Friday. And they were down into the teens by about 10 to 11 p.m. that night. And then all day Saturday, winds blowing 50 even 60 mph out of the Columbia River Gorge across the metro area," said Pierce.

Reporting out in the harsh elements was Jamie Hudson who recalled the day.

“I was out there that day when we had those winds. I had the anemometer out there. Downtown thankful with all the tall buildings does shield the wind a bit. I was really glad I was bundled up that day," said Hudson.

"I've been forecasting here for many years. A third-generation native of Vancouver and I can tell you that is one of the most significant arctic blasts I can remember in my life," said Pierce.

Certainly, a winter we won’t soon forget, but maybe one of the most difficult events to predict this year wasn’t weather-related at all.

2024 was the year of the northern lights. It wasn’t just one night, but multiple events throughout the year lit up the night skies of the Pacific Northwest. A peak in the solar cycle helped bring the dazzling display to much of the continental U.S. in 2024.

Now, the Pacific Northwest prepares for the potentially wild weather of 2025. Stay with the KOIN 6 Weather Team to continue to stay prepared for the weather over the next 12 months.