Winter Weather — Northern Panhandle, Idaho

2012-11-12 · Northern Panhandle, Idaho

Event narrative

Slick road conditions due to compact snow and ice resulted in a car accident involving two vehicles on Highway 41 at the intersection of Highway 54 in Spirit Lake. One vehicle was traveling northbound along Highway 41 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and spun into an oncoming vehicle traveling southbound. The driver of the northbound vehicle was killed (indirect) due to her injuries at the scene of the crash. The driver and a passenger of the southbound vehicle were injured (indirect) in the accident. Both were treated at a nearby hospital and later released.

Wider weather episode

Moist isentropic ascent ahead of an occluded front pushing into the region off of the eastern Pacific clashed with cold continental air established over the area. Steady snowfall ensued with roads quickly becoming snow covered as road temperatures dipped below freezing during the early morning hours. A general two four inches of snowfall was recorded across the Northern Panhandle.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 416969. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.