Winter Storm in Blackfoot Mountains, Idaho

A strong Pacific system brought in extreme moisture with very heavy snow in the Blackfoot Mountains. The Bone COOP observer recorded 42 inches of snow the first 4 days of the month. 2 to 4 feet were common. The North Gem School District 149 was closed on the 4th due to the snow and wind conditions and dangerous travel.

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.