Winter Storm — Caribou Range, Idaho

2023-02-26 to 2023-02-28 · Caribou Range, Idaho

Event narrative

Heavy snow and wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph closed US Highway 26 from Ririe to the Wyoming border. The LDS Church in Swan Valley was set up to house stranded motorists until the road was reopened. Snowfall amounts were 6 inches at the Swan Valley COOP site with SNOTEL estimates of 15 inches at Giveout, 23 inches at Slug Creek Divide, and 13 inches at Somsen Ranch. A police car was destroyed near Antelope Creek Road on US 26 by a snowplow with multiple accidents and slide offs prior to the closing of the road.

Wider weather episode

Another powerful and moist Pacific storm brought heavy snow and strong winds yet again to southeast Idaho. Multiple roads were closed again due to snow and wind with heavy amounts recorded.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1083796. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.