The Historic February 13, 1979 Windstorm: A Deep Dive into the Pacific Northwest's Ferocious Gale

The February 13, 1979 windstorm stands out as a significant and powerful natural phenomenon that impacted the Pacific Northwest, specifically regions of Pacific Canada and the United States, on that memorable date. This historic weather event, often recalled for its intense and localized ferocity, left a lasting impression on communities across British Columbia and Washington State, showcasing the raw power of atmospheric forces.

Meteorological Genesis: An Intense Wave Cyclone's Path

Its destructive genesis began in the early morning hours of February 13, 1979, when an intense wave cyclone initiated its swift and powerful path. This formidable extratropical storm system, characterized by a rapidly developing low-pressure center and associated fronts, tracked directly across the southern portion of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Wave cyclones are complex weather systems, drawing vast amounts of energy from temperature differences across frontal boundaries to produce widespread strong winds and precipitation. The strategic positioning of this system was critical in setting the stage for the severe conditions that followed.

The Role of the Atmospheric Pressure Gradient Across Washington

As this powerful low-pressure center progressed, an exceptionally strong atmospheric pressure gradient developed directly south of its core, extending across much of Washington State. An atmospheric pressure gradient signifies the rate at which air pressure changes over a given distance; a steeper gradient, as was the case here, directly correlates to significantly higher wind speeds. This fundamental principle of meteorology explains the widespread and destructive winds that soon began to buffet the region, impacting coastal areas and extending inland towards the Puget Sound.

Olympic Mountains and the Formation of a Destructive Lee Low

Further complicating and intensifying the weather scenario, a robust cold airflow, propelled by the broader storm system, moved relentlessly toward the northeast. This air mass critically interacted with the towering, high terrain of the Olympic Mountains in Washington. This geographical interaction initiated the formation of a distinct "lee low" – a localized area of reduced atmospheric pressure that typically develops on the downwind (leeward) side of a mountain range when strong winds flow over it. The Olympic Mountains, acting as a significant topographical barrier, thus played a crucial role in creating this localized atmospheric phenomenon east of the range, effectively channeling and accelerating winds in specific areas.

Localized Ferocity: The Kitsap Peninsula's Intense Pressure Gradient

The emergence and development of this mesoscale low – a weather system operating on a scale larger than individual thunderstorms but smaller than an entire synoptic-scale cyclone – was pivotal. It dramatically intensified the atmospheric pressure gradient, specifically over the Kitsap Peninsula region. This localized and extreme pressure difference meant that communities situated within and around the Kitsap Peninsula experienced a disproportionately severe impact, subjected to some of the storm's most ferocious and damaging winds. The unique topography of the Puget Sound region, combined with this mesoscale development, concentrated the storm's destructive power in this specific area.

Impact and Aftermath: Widespread Disruption and Damage

The February 13, 1979 windstorm brought significant disruption across the affected regions. While precise, uniformly recorded wind speeds from 1979 are challenging to compare with modern instrumentation, reports indicate that wind gusts in exposed coastal areas, the San Juan Islands, and parts of the Puget Sound likely exceeded 70-80 mph, with some unofficial measurements suggesting even higher localized gusts. These powerful winds led to widespread power outages, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents across Western Washington and British Columbia. Numerous trees were toppled, blocking roads and causing significant property damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The storm served as a stark reminder of the Pacific Northwest's vulnerability to such powerful winter events, leaving behind a trail of downed power lines and extensive debris cleanup efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 1979 Windstorm

When did the February 13, 1979 windstorm occur?

The windstorm occurred during the early morning hours of February 13, 1979.

Which regions were primarily affected by this windstorm?

The storm significantly impacted areas of Pacific Canada, particularly southern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, and the United States, with a focus on Washington State, especially the Puget Sound and Kitsap Peninsula regions.

What caused the extreme winds during this event?

The high winds were primarily caused by an intense wave cyclone moving across Vancouver Island, which created a strong atmospheric pressure gradient across Washington. This was further intensified by a 'lee low' forming east of the Olympic Mountains and a mesoscale low that developed over the Kitsap Peninsula, creating exceptionally steep localized pressure differences.

What is a 'wave cyclone'?

A wave cyclone is a type of extratropical storm characterized by a developing low-pressure center and associated cold and warm fronts. These systems are responsible for much of the mid-latitude weather, including strong winds, rain, and snow.

What is a 'lee low' and how did it contribute to the storm's intensity?

A lee low is a localized area of low pressure that forms on the downwind (leeward) side of a mountain range when strong winds interact with the terrain. In this storm, the Olympic Mountains' interaction with the cold airflow created a lee low that amplified the wind speeds and pressure gradient on its eastern side, severely affecting areas like the Kitsap Peninsula.

What were the main impacts of the 1979 windstorm?

The storm resulted in widespread disruption, including extensive power outages affecting hundreds of thousands, numerous downed trees, blocked roads, and significant property damage across Western Washington and British Columbia. Wind gusts in exposed areas were reported to be well over 70-80 mph.