Heavy Snow — Eastern Magic Valley, Idaho

2002-04-15 to 2002-04-16 · Eastern Magic Valley, Idaho

Wider weather episode

One day after thunderstorm winds caused extensive damage in southeast Idaho, a mid-April snowstorm dumped heavy wet snow over the same region. It was the heaviest snow of the season in the Snake River Plain. It ranked as the 8th greatest 24 hour snowfall ever at the Pocatello airport and 3rd greatest April snowfall ever. 9 inches fell at the Pocatello airport by the morning of April 16th. Generally 8 to 12 inches fell in the Pocatello, American Falls, Blackfoot and Chubbuck city areas. Snow was even heavier in Idaho Falls where the city received 12 to 16 inches of snow. 10 inches fell in Moreland, 6 inches in Island Park, 7 inches in Tetonia, 8 inches in Wayan, 10 inches in Rexburg, 7 inches in Rigby, 13 inches in Shelley, 11 inches in Rockland, and 7 inches at Malad and Malta. The storm caused more power outages to 140 customers as downed tree limbs from the heavy wet snow fell into power lines after service was just restored from the previous days thunderstorms. The heavy snow also did extensive damage to the Idaho Falls Tautphaus Zoo collapsing a roof to a cat exhibit. The snow caused a fatal accident on Highway 81 seven miles east of Declo fatally injuring a 32 year woman and her 2 year old son.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5289675. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.