Heavy Snow — Lower Snake River Plain, Idaho

2023-04-03 to 2023-04-04 · Lower Snake River Plain, Idaho

Event narrative

A favorable localized heavy snow pattern set up with extremely heavy snowfall from American Falls eastward to Pocatello and surrounding areas. Snow amounts escalated from 5.5 inches in Aberdeen to 5 inches in American Falls and 9 inches by the American Falls COOP observer. The Pocatello Regional Airport measured 11.7 inches with downtown Pocatello 12.5 inches. Areas around Chubbuck measured from 15 to 21 inches with the Pocatello benches also measuring 15 to 21 inches. A public report 4 miles east/southeast of Chubbuck carried 25 inches which was the highest total reported. Winds of 15 to 25 mph caused extensive blowing and drifting with horrible morning travel on the 4th. Pocatello Chubbuck School District 25 closed as did American Falls School District 381. Sho-Ban School District closed and Idaho State University closed afternoon classes as well.

Wider weather episode

A favorable pattern set up for extremely heavy snow in the Pocatello area where amounts of snow were generally in the 1 to 2 foot range throughout the metro area. Schools were closed and morning rush hour travel on the 4th was extremely difficult as blowing and drifting snow was also widespread.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1095529. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.