Hail — Gem, Idaho

1998-04-23 · near Sweet, Gem, Idaho

Wider weather episode

A long lived severe thunderstorm crossed into Idaho from south east Oregon and cut a path of damage from Owyhee County, through the Boise metropolitan area and into the Boise Mountains. In Owyhee County the storm produced winds which knocked down power poles. As the storm crossed into Ada County numerous reports of large hail up to golf ball size were received along with damaging winds up to 59 mph. Many trees were blown down and a greenhouse sustained heavy damage from large hail. In Canyon County and Gem County golf ball hail was reported. As the storm moved into Boise County golf ball size hail was reported by spotters in Horseshoe Bend and winds damaged a mobile home. Wind blown debris smashed a car window. A wind gust of 74 mph was reported south of Idaho City. In Elmore County, outflow winds from the thunderstorm gusted to 74 mph at Mountain Home Air Force Base. The winds damaged roofs and irrigation equipment in and around Mountain Home. In Owyhee County the gust front spawned a short lived, weak tornado which did no damage.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5636881. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.