Winter Storm — Upper Snake River Plain, Idaho

2024-03-01 to 2024-03-04 · Upper Snake River Plain, Idaho

Event narrative

A strong Pacific storm system brought heavy snow, strong winds which caused excessive damage due to the heavy and wet nature of the snow. Several trees were downed with extensive power outages. Windy conditions and colder temperatures caused some road closures on the 4th. 15 thousand customers from Rigby to Rexburg to Idaho Falls to Lewisville were without power on the 2nd. 10 to 16 inches of snow fell with 12 inches in Idaho Falls with 15 inches near the Idaho Falls Airport and 10 inches in Rexburg. The Rigby COOP reported 9 inches. Extensive reports of downed power lines. A power pole snapped in Idaho Falls. Dozens of trees downed in Idaho Falls. A large carport collapsed on top of 14 vehicles at Westwood Park Village on Vega St in Idaho Falls. A storage building collapsed as well at S yellowstone Highway and W 65th S south of Idaho Falls. Power lines down throughout Lewisville as well. A vehicle rollover along US Highway 20 on the morning of the 2nd between Idaho Falls and Sugar City. Most of the property damage occurred due to the heavy snow on the 1st and 2nd. By the 4th wind and blowing snow closes E Sunnyside Road in Hawks landing area and east in Idaho Falls. US Highway 26 closed as well on the 4th from Ririe to Swan Valley due to blowing and drifting snow . Bone road closed in Iona. Idaho Highway 33 closed from Newdale to Tetonia.

Wider weather episode

An extreme winter storm affected all of southeast Idaho the first 4 days of the month. Extreme amounts of Pacific moisture combined with several short waves and a cold frontal passage brought widespread snow amounts over a foot. With temperatures near freezing, widespread damage occurred due to the heavy wet nature of the snow especially in the Snake River Plain. Although there was a break in the snow late on the 2nd, it returned on the 3rd and continued into the 4th. Strong winds were also a common feature with the multi day storm with widespread gusts over 40 mph causing blowing and drifting snow and low visibility by the 3rd and 4th when colder temperatures arrived. Road closures were widespread. Thunderstorms occurred with the cold frontal passage early on the 2nd. School closures also occurred on the 4th as well.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1169896. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.