2005:- 1-3 inches of rain fell at and around Royal City in an hour. Many roads were washed out with hundredths of thousands of dollars of damage was reported to structures and crops around the city. 1.00 inch hail also fell in the city.

May 5th

2000: 0.75 inch hail fell in Lewiston and 0.88 inch hail fell in Gifford. A funnel cloud was observed 20 miles northeast of Lewiston.

May 6th

2009: A thunderstorm produced a funnel cloud and then an F1 tornado, which touched down about 9 miles north of Davenport. This caused damage to two structures and uprooted and snapped numerous trees. By the time the storm reached north Spokane County, the rotation had weakened and was not as evident. However, a localized area of strong downburst winds, up to 65 knots, impacted an area located five miles west of Chattaroy where a portion of a metal roof was blown off an out-building near the intersection of Monroe and Crosscut roads.

2005: 1-3 inches of rain fell in an hour across portions of the Idaho Palouse. Hubble Gulch Road in Hubble Gulch was washed out due to the subsequent flooding. Several structures in Nez Perce county were washed away. Several roads in Latah county were also washed out. An estimated $2 million in damages was reported.

May 7th

May 8th

2007: A thunderstorm tracked across Whitman county. 48 mph winds knock out power to 4,000 customers in the west part of the county as well as Colfax. West county areas that lost power included Diamond, Ewan, Ralston, and Marengo. Two power posts were broken dear the Shawnee substation.

2005: 2-3 inches of rain fell east of Lapwai in an hour. A flash flood then raced through Garden Gulch and flooded out structures, killed some livestock and washed out roads to the intersection of State Route 95 and Garden Gulch Road. An estimated $4 million in property and road damages was reported in a five mile swath along Garden Gulch.

May 9th

2005: Slow-moving thunderstorms drop 2-5 inches of rain in 6 hours across portions of Adams, Lincoln, Chelan and Latah counties. There were numerous road closures due to the heavy rain. A large number of businesses, homes and streets were flooded because of the heavy rains. Many homes were flooded in eastern Latah County. Many locations on Highways 8 and 95 around Moscow were closed and damaged due to debris flows. In Lincoln County, a few homes and businesses were flooded along with many roads. Some notable roads that experienced damage from flooding in Lincoln County were Highway 23 between Harrington and Sprague, Highway 174 between Wilber and Grand Coulee, and Coffeepot Road near Coffeepot Lake. In Chelan County, there was some damage to roads due to flooding and debris flows. The South Lakeshore Drive was closed and damaged due to a huge debris flow. The Chelan High School was flooded due to the heavy rain. 0.80 inches of rain fell at the Ephrata airport, the most precipitation recorded there for a May day.

2000: High winds knock down several power lines near Davenport.

May 10th

1992: Strong gradient winds associated with a 150 mph jet stream downed trees and caused power outages in Lewiston.

May 11th

2003: Tornado near Warden

May 12th

2011: The Chewelah Creek overflowed its banks, resulting in portions of Chewelah Park being inundated with water next to the creek. By May 16th, the creek had risen considerably out of its banks with flooding observed over Lincoln Avenue south of the park forcing its closure. The creek continued to rise through May 17th at which time water began flowing over state route 395 between mile post 206.69 and 207.81 forcing its closure as well. Flood waters approached businesses next to the park, but did not appear to make it inside any buildings.

May 13th

May 14th

2011: Flooding

May 15th

May 16th

2019: A strong thunderstorm dumped torrential rain in Downtown Spokane. This storm brought as much as 1.57” in 24 hours with nearly 0.75” in 30 minutes in some locations. There was standing water in parts of Interstate-90 and many roadways in the city. Some downtown businesses received flooding, as well as approximately 5,000 residences losing power.

2008: Due to heavy rains and snow melt, the Coeur d'Alene river at Cataldo exceeded flood stage. Several roads were flooded. A boil order was issued throughout Shoshone county.

2006: Rapid snow melt occurred across Okanogan County, leading to flooding. Salmon Creek near Conconully and Sinlahekin Creek south of Lewis overflowed their banks. Two buildings and a bridge were flooded.

1994: Hail and heavy winds damaged approximately 2000 acres of apples in Chelan county. Damages were estimated at $8 million.

May 17th

2008: The Wellpinit Complex Fire, centered 16 miles north of Davenport, was a human caused fire that burned 785 acres. It was contained on the 23rd. Snowmelt lead to the washing out of Highway 206 at Mt. Spokane State Park. The Stehekin river rose above flood stage. Minor flooding occurred. It went under flood stage on the 20th.

2006: The Stehekin River overflowed its banks, leading to minor flooding.

2005: 1.00 inch hail was reported in a very narrow swath from Four Lakes to just east of Airway Heights.

1996: Lightning strikes a house in Moscow, igniting the house and blasting a hole in the roof. No injuries reported.

1994: Heavy rain produced a mud slide two miles east of Potlatch, which is about 38 miles north of Lewiston. This slide closed State Highway 6 for 3.5 hours. The storm also caused heavy rain across the border in Whitman County.

May 18th

2011: A strong dust devil ripped siding off both sides of a trailer, thrusting the pieces in a neighbor's horse pasture.

2009: Severe thunderstorms dropped hail throughout portions of northern Idaho and eastern Washington. 0.75 inch hail fell at Moscow and 1.5 miles east of Lewiston, 0.88 inch hail fell in parts of Latah county, and 1 inch hell fell in Lapwai, and in Asotin and Whitman counties.

2008: Due to heavy rains and snowmelt, the St. Joe River at Saint Maries and exceeded flood stage. The river crested on the 21st, and did not recede under flood stage until June 9th. The St. Joes River also flooded at Calder. The rivers there receded on the 19th. The Methow River at Pateros also exceeded flood stage. It crested on the 19th, and receded on the 20th. A large landslide sent a 100 foot wide swath of rock and mud down the north face of the Icicle Valley about 15 miles west of Leavenworth. This caused a temporary diversion of Doctor Creek, with boulders, trees, and mud spilling into Icicle Creek. Icicle Road was severely damaged and closed as a result at Ida Creek Campground. The creek was already swollen to near flood stage by unseasonably warm temperatures and snow melt. The estimated cost to build a new road where the slide occurred is $1 million. A bridge was also damaged by the slide with an estimated damage amount of $40K.

2006: Outflow winds up to 45 mph from a thunderstorm knocked over trees and power lines in Moscow and in Royal City, knocking out the power for several hours. A power line in Royal City ignited. Lightning struck a home in Ephrata, igniting it. Chelan records a temperature of 96 degrees, the warmest May temperature recorded in the city.

1992: Gusty winds damaged a mobile home northeast of Republic.

1991: Lewiston records 1.62 inches of rain in less than 24 hours (just shy of a 24 hour record, 1.63 inches). Flooding and landslides interfere with highway travel and damaged some cars. 2 inches of rain also fell at Walla Walla. A car was buried by a landslide between Prescott and Waitsburg, killing the two occupants. 1.68 inches of rain fell at Leavenworth, the most precipitation to fall in the city for a May day.

May 19th

2010: A squall line and a gust front brought high winds to northern Idaho and eastern Washington. The front went through Moses, which damaged Simplot's plant there, forcing it to shut down for repairs. The storm produced a F0 tornado which touched down 5 miles northeast of Moses Lake. The tornado lifted a roof and tossed it onto a barn, destroying it. A grain silo was also damaged. Numerous trees in the area lost their branches. The storm then moved through the Palouse and Pend Oreille county, where more tree branches broke off. Some lightning damage was reported at Ruby. When the squall line hit Moscow, a roof was ripped off the La Quinta Inn near the Washington and Idaho State Line. Screens were ripped off of windows as well. A concrete planter hit a person resulting in an injury. The winds also blew down trees with 2,000 customers without power. When the line hit Hayden Lake, six to eight tall pine trees came down near the Hayden Lake Country Club Golf Course by Hayden Lake. One tree was 130 feet tall and was two to three feet in diameter which came down on a home causing significant home damage and injuring one person. Three other homes were hit by falling trees with downed power lines. Three trees fell and totaled a car as well. 0.51 inches of rain fell at Winthrop in 1 hour.

2008: Snow melt led to the washing out of Highway 206 at Mt. Spokane State Park. The Kettle River at Ferry exceeded flood stage briefly. The Moyie River at Eastport exceeded flood stage. It crested on the 21st, and receded on the 22nd. A state of emergency was declared for Boundary county.

2006: A severe thunderstorm moved through southeastern Washington and northern Idaho, causing heavy rains and strong winds. Many shop basements, main floors and roads in Lewiston flooded due to heavy rains - a spotter reported 1 inch of rain fell in 15 minutes. 50 mph winds knocked down power lines and trees in Lewiston and Clarkston. A stop sign was blown down in Clarkston. A tree fell onto a vehicle in Lewiston. 350 people in Lewiston lost power. Lightning struck a substation in Davenport, causing 2,500 people to lose power. Lightning struck a house in Hayden, igniting it.

2004: Wenatchee Tornado

2002: Thunderstorm -Columbia Basin

1996: 0.38 inch hail fell in Colville. Some minor flooding reported.

May 20th

2008: The Spokane River at Spokane exceeded flood stage. It crested on the 23rd, and receded on June 5th. Lake Coeur d'Alene exceeded flood stage. It crested on the 21st, and receded on the 30th.

2007: Heavy, late snow fell across central Washington. Mission Ridge Ski Resort received an estimated 10 inches of accumulation, with Badger Mountain picking up 6-8 inches of snow. Snow was observed as low as 3,000 feet. Ten power poles were snapped on Badger Mountain, knocking out power to 94 customers.

2004: Scattered thunderstorms produced large pockets of hail over the Columbia Basin. 0.75 inch hail was reported south of Moses Lake, and 1 inch hail was reported east of Mansfield.

1994: 0.25 inch hail fell on apple orchards in Bridgeport, causing severe damage.

1991: The Okanogan River exceeded flood was above flood stage between the 20th and the 27th. The floods caused minor crop damage and damaged a residence.

May 21st

2008: Snow melt led to minor flooding of the Okanogan River at Tonasket. It crested and receded on the 22nd.

2007: Heavy rain collapsed a roof in Spokane. The house was flooded with 3-4 inches of water, and parts of the insulation was found mixed in the water.

2004: Spokane County Tornado

May 22nd

2011: Heavy rain, from 0.5 to 1.5 inches, caused flooding over portions of Okanogan County. Flooding also occurred in areas of northern Idaho. In Okanogan County, Sinlahekin Road was closed between Fish Lake and Blue Lake due to water and debris flowing over the roadway. Salmon Creek Road was closed between Spring Coulee Road and Danker Cut-Off Road due to water and debris flowing over the roadway from Salmon Creek. A combination of high spring runoff and log jams in the creek was responsible for the flooding. The roads were later reopened but closed on and off for the next few weeks. The rivers receded by the 25th. The Coeur d'Alene river at Cataldo overflowed its banks, resulting in several roads being inundated with water between Rose Lake and Cataldo. Approximately three-quarters of a mile of Rose Creek Road from Highway 3 had nearly a foot and a half of water over it and was closed for several days. A mile of Dudley Road, just west of Cataldo, was under a foot of water. The community of Rose Lake itself at Highway 3 experienced some backflow from the Coeur d 'Alene River, causing a slight build-up of water up to some houses foundations. The west end of King Street in Rose Lake was completely covered in water. One resident living at the end of King Street reported having as much as three to four feet of water against his foundation. The only damage to his property was to sheetrock in his garage. The river receded on the 24th.

2010: Mammatus Clouds in Spokane

2006: A severe thunderstorm brought strong winds to northern Idaho. 65 mph winds were reported in Shoshone and Kootenai counties, and 50mph gusts were reported in Bonner and Boundary counties. 0.75 inch hail fell at St. Maries. A National Weather Service Storm Survey found hundreds of flattened trees up to two feet in diameter over a three acre area at Bumblebee Campground, located seven miles north of Pinehurst. One unoccupied motor home was destroyed when trees fell on it. Little Tepee Creek, which is near Bumblebee Campground, also had numerous trees knocked down. Trees and power lines were knocked down from Sandpoint to Kootenai in Bonner county, as well as the north side of the county. The winds blew one dock near Sandpoint about 20 feet to the north causing the walkway to collapse. In Samuels, pieces of a roof fell behind a barn, with part of the structure falling on a recreational vehicle that was parked inside. The storm then moved through Boundary county, knocking down numerous trees and power lines, including at Bonners Ferry. A couple small fires were started from the downed power lines. Power outages were reported in Eastport and Naples. A trailer was also crushed at the Robinson Lake Campground. The property damage from this event is estimated at $53,000.

1996: Minor flooding reported at Republic.

May 23rd

May 24th

2019: A thunderstorm produced heavy rains between Mead and Newman Lake, with a weather spotter reporting 1.6” of rain in 75 minutes. Water and dirt was reported on roadways in the area, including 4” on Bigelow Gulch Road and Forker Road near Mount Spokane. Another spotter reported heavy rainfall to the northwest, in Ford, Washington, that produced 1.12” of rain in 40 minutes.

2003: Thunderstorms formed over eastern Washington. These storms caused extensive downbursts in Lincoln, Stevens and Spokane counties. The winds were reported up to 60 mph throughout. Numerous trees were uprooted and downed at Deer Park and near Springdale, and in scattered areas in the aforementioned counties. The winds knocked down power lines, causing an estimated 7000 people to lose power. A fence was knocked down near Avista Stadium in Spokane.

2001: A dry thunderstorm moved northeast through Okanogan county. The storm brought strong winds to the area. 77 mph gusts were recorded southeast of Omak, with the airport in the city recording 53 mph gusts. 67 mph gusts were also recorded northwest of Okanogan, and a 50 mph gust was recorded east of Carlton. Blowing dust reduced visibility to 1.75 miles. The winds knocked down trees onto roads and power lines. A downed power line ignited a house and garage in Omak. The winds also tore a roof off a gas station and carried an A/C unit. A fence was knocked over in Okanogan. Several orchards in the area suffered significant damage; $1 million in damages was reported to the crops. Pullman records a temperature of 97 degrees, the hottest May temperature recorded in the city.

May 25th

2016: North Spokane Flash Flooding / Thunderstorms

May 26th

2011: Many creeks, rivers and streams in northeastern Washington overflowed their banks through the 28th. Chewelah Creek flowed out of its banks flooding portions of Highway 395, Lincoln Street, and Chewelah City Park. The north end of Deep Lake overflowed its banks flooding portions of Deep Lake Boundary Road with six inches of water. Late snow fell across the mountains of northern Idaho and eastern Washington.

2002: 1 inch hail was reported in Winchester.

1999: The Snake River rose to above flood stage at Anatone. Minor flooding was reported between Asotin and Clarkston. Highway 129 north of Asotin was closed.

1998: Heavy rain, up to 5 inches in Republic, up to 3 inches overnight (into the 27th) in some areas of Boundary county, and 2.25 inches in Conconully cause street flooding in Sandpoint, Republic, Loomis, Cusick and Chewelah, and mudslides in Bonners Ferry. Highways were washed out in Republic. Chewelah recorded 2.35 inches of rain, a May record for the city.

May 27th

2011: Flooding occurred in the Okanogan National Forest through the 31st. Several roads sustained water damage from flooding creeks and streams within the Okanogan National Forest. These roads include West Chewuch Road, Volstead Road, Cub Creek Road, Boulder Creek, and Harts Pass. Several landslides were also reported in the forest on the 31st. Heavy rain and 0.25 inch hail fell throughout the period.

1993: Golf-ball sized hail fell at Mullan, 50 miles east of Coeur D'Alene, and baseball sized hail and some street flooding occurred in Wallace, 5 miles to the west.

May 28th

2008: Impressive Hailstorm

May 29th

2011: A funnel cloud was spotted 5 miles north of Colton, and tracked towards Pullman.

2008: Heavy rain led to flash flooding just west of Inchelium. The heavy rain led to mud and rock slides on Bridge Creek Road near the Bridge Creek Summit. Doppler radar indicated more than 2.5 inches of rain occurred in this area in less than two hours.

1996: Lightning strikes the same house in Wilbur twice. Hail was also reported in the same storm.

1994: An F1 tornado touched down just south of Priest Lake, in a sparsely populated area. No significant damage was reported. Blowing dust was reported in Ritzville, with gusts up to 45 mph causing highway 395 to close.

May 30th

May 31st

1997: A thunderstorm brought 70mph gusts, 0.75 inch hail and 4 tornadoes throughout northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. Winds blew roofs off houses in Post Falls and in Lewiston, and other wind-related damages were reported in Coeur d'Alene, Oldtown, Priest River, Sagle, Sandpoint, Moses Lake, Dartford, and Clarkston. 0.75 inch hail fell west of Craigmont and Lapwai and at Pinehurst, Cheney, Wilbur, Davenport, Ritzville, Othello and Rockford. 1 inch hail fell in Chewelah, and 2 inch hail fell in Dartford. 0.75 inches of rain fell in 35 minutes at Cocolalla. High winds damaged an apple orchard near Moses Lake. An F0 tornado was spotted just 2 miles east of Lewiston, an F2 tornado was spotted 4-8 miles southeast of Athol. An F1 blew through Wilbur and Creston, destroying several buildings in Wilbur and ripping off other roofs. Creston's irrigation system was damaged. Another F1 was spotted travelling from south of Clayton to Deer Park.

1993: 2 inches of rain fell in two hours in east Wenatchee. The resulting mudslides damaged numerous homes and closed several roads. Heavy rain and mudslides were also reported in Chelan County, closing Highway 97 along Lake Chelan.

Arctic Air Bringing Cold Temperatures to the Eastern Half of the U.S.; Strong Clipper System Wednesday and Thursday

May - Weather History