Heavy Snow — Southern Clearwater Mountains, Idaho

2025-02-16 to 2025-02-18 · Southern Clearwater Mountains, Idaho

Event narrative

Very heavy wet snow fell at times and brought slick conditions to U.S. Highway 12. Power outages were reported the morning of the 18th due to the heavy snow rates from snow bands. Snowfall ranges include: 9 inches in Syringa, 2 feet at Lolo Pass, a foot at Dixie and 3 feet fell near Red River Hot Springs Idaho.

Wider weather episode

Multiple waves of subtropical moisture brought periods of moderate to heavy precipitation, primarily as snowfall across the Northern Rockies. Nightly bouts of black ice, often covered by fresh snow, created extremely slick travel conditions.

Arctic air remained stalled along and just west of the Divide, occasionally pushing westward. These surges intensified snowfall, produced below-zero wind chills, and brought gusty winds.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1237615. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.