Winter Storm — Caribou Range, Idaho

2024-12-14 to 2024-12-15 · Caribou Range, Idaho

Event narrative

A fatal auto accident occurred at 216 PM MST on US Highway 26 at mile marker 391 near the north end of Palisades Reservoir. A 66 year old male was killed and a 67 year old female was injured in what the Swan Valley Fire Department reported as very dangerous conditions. US 26 was closed from 240 PM to 640 PM from Palisades Dam to the Wyoming border. US Highway 26 also closed at 9 AM on the 15th due to blowing snow and reduced visibility. Snowfall estimates at SNOTEL sites were 11 inches at Slug Creek Divide, 8 inches at Giveout, and 7 inches at Somsen Ranch.

Wider weather episode

A Pacific storm system with localized heavy snowfall caused extensive travel issues with one fatality possibly due to the road conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1229764. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.