A large and dynamic storm system bought widespread impacts across much of the United States at the end of February 2023. In the Western United States, heavy snow, hail, and gusty winds affected many areas. This led to the partial closure of several major highways, including I-205 in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, as well as numerous fatal accidents on other highways. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, thousands of people lost power, and multiple sporting events were postponed. In the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, significant impacts from severe weather occurred. A severe squall line produced destructive straight-line winds in the St. Louis metropolitan area on February 23. The most impactful day in terms of severe weather was on February 26, when a powerful line of severe thunderstorms containing damaging straight-line winds and multiple embedded tornadoes impacted the Texas Panhandle, southern Kansas, and most of the state of Oklahoma. Dozens of instances of large hail, damaging wind gusts, and multiple tornadoes were confirmed with this event, including an EF2 tornado that killed a person in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. A wind gust from straight-line winds was reported in Memphis, Texas, which was the highest wind gust since the August 2020 Midwest derecho. Five of these tornadoes formed in the Oklahoma City metro area, including a high-end EF2 tornado that caused severe damage in the southeastern part of the city of Norman. The event set the record for the most tornadoes ever recorded in Oklahoma in the month of February since modern records began in 1950. More tornadoes touched down in Illinois the next day, including some in the Chicago metropolitan area. In addition to the severe weather impacts, parts of the Midwestern United States also received periods of heavy snowfall and gusty winds along with ice, causing dozens of accidents, knocking out power, and canceling hundreds of flights. The Northeastern United States was also affected by heavy snowfall.
Meteorological synopsis
An upper-air disturbance, combined with high-altitude cold air and low pressure, dove southeast from British Columbia into the Western United States on February 21.
Impacts
Along the path of the winter storm, countless school districts across numerous states cancelled or delayed classes. Inclement weather forced the closure of many roadways. Weather watches and warnings were issued for snowfall, freezing rain, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and extreme cold.
Western United States
Winter storm watches were hoisted for mountainous regions of the California Bay Area, the first since 2011, while only the second ever blizzard warning was issued for Los Angeles County, and the first blizzard warning ever issued by the National Weather Service of San Diego. Evacuation warnings were issued for Ventura County due to anticipated flooding and debris flows. In Arizona, American Airlines issued travel waivers for Flagstaff Pulliam Airport in anticipation of strong winds. Farther north in Oregon, the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer postponed their opening match of the 2023 season due to the storm; it had been scheduled to take place on February 25 but was moved to February 27.
Oregon
In Oregon, snow fell in Troutdale, Tigard, Stayton, Cathedral Park, Chapman Square, and Beaverton, in which the latter received of snow. Portland recorded of snow, their largest accumulation on record so late in the winter season and the second-largest calendar day observation in the city's history. For much of the Portland metro area, the heavy snow came as a surprise with some weather models having struggled to capture eventual location of the system. On US 26 near Portland, more than 70 cars were abandoned because of the difficult driving conditions. Snow and ice led to the closure of I-205 over the Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge, as well as a stretch due to stalled vehicles from high snow accumulations with several other highways closing in Oregon, including US 101 and OR 34, where downed trees blocked the routes. Around 400 flights were cancelled at Portland International Airport. Two deaths occurred in the city. Snow led to the suspension of Newport's seafood and wine festival. MAX Light Rail trains and TriMet buses were stalled, causing the delay of passengers arriving to their destinations. The inclement weather forced the closure of the City Hall in Lincoln City. At least 15,000 power outages occurred across the state.