Taking a look at Portland snowstorms from the past

By Kristyna Wentz-Graff (OPB)

Feb. 25, 2023 12:12 a.m.

Road crew with shovels stand on foster road after clearing snow off street during 1916 winter snowfall, Foster Road in SE Portland, Jan. 21. 1916. — Road crew with shovels stand on foster road after clearing snow off street during 1916 winter snowfall, Foster Road in SE Portland, Jan. 21. 1916.
Oregon Historical Society, 013794

This week’s snow accumulation in Portland surprised many. A total of 10.8 inches of snow was recorded at Portland International Airport, where official records have been kept since 1939. A massive snowstorm dropped about 16 inches of snow in 1937, which pre-dates the official snowfall totals recorded at the airport. Take a look at how Oregonians handled extreme weather in the past.