Heavy Snow — Central Panhandle Mountains, Idaho

2005-01-15 to 2005-01-18 · Central Panhandle Mountains, Idaho

Wider weather episode

A large, and rather moist storm system moved up from the southwest from the tropics. This storm system dropped heavy snow to northern and central Idaho before raising snow levels to over 7000 feet by the evening of the 18th. Across the Northern Panhandle, 6 inches was reported by a spotter at Bonners Ferry while just down the road 12 miles a spotter reported 10 inches of new snow. About 8 inches fell at the town of Sandpoint. Over the Coeur D'Alene Area, 3 to 4 inches of snow was common but a spotter at the town of Rathdrum reported 6 inches of new snow. Over the Idaho Palouse, 3 to 5 inches of snow was common. Over the Central Panhandle Mountains, 9 inches fell over Silver Mountain and 8-12 inches were common over all other mountain locations. Two Snowboarders died in an avalance just south of the town of Mullan on the afternoon of the 16th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5433699. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.