Blizzard — Eastern Magic Valley, Idaho

2008-12-24 to 2008-12-25 · Eastern Magic Valley, Idaho

Event narrative

Fifty to sixty mph wind gusts were widespread in the Eastern Magic Valley from midnight through noon on Christmas Day. Extensive blowing and drifting snow caused interstates 84 and 86 to be closed in the southern portion of the zone. An 11 year old child died from hypothermia in the extreme northern part of Lincoln County when forced to walk from a stranded automobile. Her body was found at 2 am on December 26th.

Wider weather episode

An intense Pacific storm brought heavy snow and strong winds to all of southeast Idaho. One to three feet of snow fell in the Central Mountains with 4 to 8 inches in the Snake River Plain with blizzard conditions. One to two feet were common in the southern and southeast highlands with up to 32 inches in the Upper Snake Highlands. Interstates 84 and 86 were closed east of Declo. State Highways 39,32,37,46,21, 81, and 77 were all closed. US Highways 20 and 26 were closed.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 146518. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.