The Klickitat County News, Goldendale, WA., January 10, 1935, page 6

KLICKITAT COUNTY SHOWN TO BE EMPIRE WITHIN ITSELF

     While many European countries, especially during the winter season, may usually be classed as either a cold or a warm country, the confines of these small nations are usually so situated that the average temperature, snowfall, wind or rain is similar throughout.
     Of course, as one comes across both the Pacific and the Atlantic and crosses into Canadian or American territory, this conception and general average does not hold. These territories are so vast and different in climate that what it is true in one section is the reverse in another.
     It was forcibly brought to the attention of The News this week that Klickitat county may be compared to some smaller nations of Europe and Asia but even here the temperatures, snow fall and precipitation varies immensely.
     For instance, early in the week, Trout Lake and the adjoining valley was blanketed with four feet of snow. Later in the week, this depth had decreased to approximately two feet due to a rain which pelted the upper regions of the county.
     As one travel south from Trout Lake where the temperature is crimpy during the early evening and seldom stays above the freezing point at night, the snow gradually withdraws and the soil on the enveloping hills and roadway comes into full view.
     At the White Salmon and Bingen, the latter on the Columbia river, the temperature is comfortably high and remarks about the mildness of the climate are bounteous.
     At Lyle, the same is true. In the Hartland section, one may again see snow aplenty with the mountain temperatures reaching for lower degrees on the thermometer.
     Cedar Valley way out of Goldendale, the mail was halted last week short of the end of the route due to from four to six feet of snow on the level. The snow depth increases as one goes farther into the mountains.
     In Goldendale there was no snow. Maryhill had none. Roosevelt could muster but little. Fresh snow, however, fell last weekend between Bickleton and Goldendale and made traveling on that road hazardous.
     At the summit of the Status Pass, two feet of snow is now lying on the level. Highway maintenance crews, however, have had little difficulty keeping the highway clear. Ski enthusiasts have enjoyed the precipituous rides over the snow at this point and this activity is growing weekly.
     All in all, Klickitat county affords its residents a variety of weather, weather conditions and climatic comfort. None of the points referred to in this article are inaccessible and even during such winter days as are now upon the county, the complete county may now be covered with one long day's driving.
     While there are still remains time for severe winter weather, the county suffers little from extended cold snaps or excessive snow falls. Precipitation west of Lyle to the county line at Underwood, averages twice as much as that east to Bickleton and the east boundary.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer