Winter Storm — Caribou Range, Idaho

2024-03-01 to 2024-03-04 · Caribou Range, Idaho

Event narrative

Extremely heavy snow fell in the Caribou Range and combined with strong winds to cause power outages and road closures on the 2nd with very wet snow. Road closures also occurred on the 4th with strong winds and blowing and drifting snow. The Swan Valley COOP observer recorded 27 inches of snow. US Highway 26 closed from Ririe to Swan Valley on the 2nd and also on the 4th. Lower Valley Energy reported power outages from Palisades Reservoir to Swan Valley during the morning of the 2nd. Idaho Highway 31 closed on the 4th from Swan Valley to Victor.

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 1169935. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.