Winter Storm — Southern Clearwater Mountains, Idaho

2020-02-04 to 2020-02-07 · Southern Clearwater Mountains, Idaho

Event narrative

An estimated 2 to 4 feet of snow fell in higher elevations, while the Dixie COOP measured a single day record of 30 inches. In addition, as lower elevations warmed, snow changed to rain which caused mudslides on US-12 between mile-markers 93 to 97, which are 17 to 21 miles east of the Kooskia area.

Wider weather episode

An atmospheric river, originating from near Hawaii, rode up and over a broad high pressure ridge situated over the eastern Pacific and brought heavy snow to central Idaho. By the 8th, rising snow levels shut off snowfall at the lower elevations of central Idaho, while areas of Lemhi County continued to snow at all elevations.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 871247. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.