Heavy Snow — Central Panhandle Mountains, Idaho

2011-02-27 to 2011-02-28 · Central Panhandle Mountains, Idaho

Event narrative

Numerous reports of traffic accidents were reported in the Silver Valley due to this storm, which carried over into March 1st. The Idaho State Police reported seven crashes and fourteen slide-offs. One fatality was reported near Mullan, ID, but the gender and age of the deceased person is unknown.

Wider weather episode

An upper-level trough sagged down the British Columbia coastline and eventually into the Pacific Northwest. Ahead of the trough, moderate to strong west to southwest flow in the lower levels focused strong orographic flow into the Idaho Panhandle resulting in twenty four to sixty hours of heavy snow. During the two day period, the highest snowfall accumulations were generally above two thousand feet where reports ranged between one and two feet. Lower elevations generally experienced four to eight inches. Silver Mountain Ski Resort was forced to close on the 27th due to high winds and white out conditions. Heavy snow continued into March 1st for the Central Panhandle Mountains, Idaho Palouse, and Camas Prairie.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 280025. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.