Winter Storm — Raft River Region, Idaho

2022-04-10 to 2022-04-13 · Raft River Region, Idaho

Event narrative

Snow and strong winds caused whiteout conditions on interstate 84 with a multiple vehicle accident influenced by the weather occurring just south of the Yale Road Exit at around 5:30 MDT. RWIS station ITD 12 near the incident reported 0.24 mile visibility at 415 PM and wind gusts as high as 66 mph at 445 PM. Wind gusts over 50 mph through 645 PM. Nine people were transported to hospitals. AS many as 12 semi tractor trailers were involved. Interstate 86 then closed from 630 PM MDT until 115 AM MDT on the 12th.

Wider weather episode

A very long period of extremely cold conditions for mid April and a continual push of Pacific moisture led to heavy mountain snowfall with snow levels down to valley floors. Interstate pile ups and a snow related fatal airplane crash all occuured during this period.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1022963. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.