A very cold upper-level trough settled into the Pacific Northwest on the 21st and 22nd of February.  A combination of upsloping flow and several smaller disturbances embedded within the trough utilized the deep instability in place resulting in several rounds of heavy snow, especially across the Northeast and Blue Mountains.  Snowfall amounts over the three day period in these mountain zones ranged from one to three feet.  Several rounds of heavy snow also impacted the upper Columbia Basin and Spokane area mainly on the 23rd and 24th but due to the highly convective nature of the snowfall, storm total snowfall amounts varied from four to fourteen inches.  On the evening of the 23rd, a strong arctic front moved into the region.  A combination of heavy snow bands developing along the front and strong northeast winds behind the front resulted in blizzard conditions for several hours across Spokane County.

Heavy Snow in SPOKANE AREA, WASHINGTON
From 23-FEB-11 12:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 00:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totals ranged from four to eight inches through midnight on the 24th of February.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST BLUE MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 22-FEB-11 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 21:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter four miles west of Anatone received twenty-two inches of snow over the three day period.

Heavy Snow in OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS, WASHINGTON
From 23-FEB-11 06:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to seven inches.

Heavy Snow in WENATCHEE AREA, WASHINGTON
From 23-FEB-11 18:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 07:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from four to six inches.

Heavy Snow in WATERVILLE PLATEAU, WASHINGTON
From 23-FEB-11 17:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 07:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from three to five inches.

Heavy Snow in OKANOGAN VALLEY, WASHINGTON
From 23-FEB-11 12:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 07:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts ranged from three to five inches.

Heavy Snow in NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS, WASHINGTON
From 22-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several rounds of highly convective snowfall over a three day period resulted in three day snowfall totals ranging from eight to twenty inches.

Blizzard in SPOKANE AREA, WASHINGTON
From 24-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 24-FEB-11 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Spokane International ASOS reported sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts in excess of 30 mph.  This combined with snow and blowing snow created visibilities near a quarter of a mile.  State Route 195 from Spangle to Rosalia and Highway 27 from Fairfield to Tekoa were both closed due to blowing snow.  Three foot snowdrifts were reported in Airway Heights.  An additional three to six inches of snow fell the morning of the 24th increasing storm total snowfall amounts between seven and fourteen inches.  Spokane and other Lincoln county school districts closed school on February 24th.