Thunderstorm Wind — Lewis, Idaho

2017-08-30 · near Nezperce, Lewis, Idaho

Event narrative

The Lewis County Emergency Manager reported 13 power poles knocked down and multiple transformers damaged along Highway 64 between Lyons Rd. and Marker Rd. Power was cut off to the area for 18 hours while repairs were made. Radar indicated a thunderstorm nearby which likely produced a strong microburst into the damage area.

Wider weather episode

Hot and unstable conditions with mid level monsoonal moisture created conditions ripe for gusty thunderstorms over north central Idaho during the afternoons of August 29th and 30th.

During the afternoon of August 29th thunderstorms developed over extreme northeast Oregon and tracked into Nez Perce and Lewis Counties in Idaho. These storms produced wind gusts which downed trees and damaged structures in the Kamiah area. A nearby remote weather station recorded a peak wind gust of 94 mph as these storms passed through.

The next day on August 30th another round of afternoon high based thunderstorms produced a microburst which created extensive damage to power lines along a stretch of Highway 64 on the Camas Prairie.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (46.2518, -116.1712)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 720134. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.