Winter Storm — Beaverhead-lemhi Highlands, Idaho

2020-01-10 to 2020-01-15 · Beaverhead-lemhi Highlands, Idaho

Event narrative

A powerful winter storm combined snow with strong winds to create extremely hazardous travel conditions. Interstate 15 closed from Dubois north to the Montana border on the 12th through the 14th before reopening on the 14th. Snowfall total at Dubois through the period was only 6 inches but the winds made snow removal nearly impossible for road crews. The snowfall total at Small was 10 inches including 8 inches on the 11th.

Wider weather episode

A major multi day storm affected all of southeast Idaho with very heavy snow, road closures, and school closings widespread. Five day snow totals exceeded a foot in many locations with as much as three feet in some mountain locations. Some high elevation SNOTEL sites exceeded 5 feet. Some of the road closures by the 11th and 12th were US Route 26 from Swan Valley to Ririe, interstate 15 from Dubois to the Montana state line, US Route 20 from Ashton to the Montana state line, Idaho Route 33 from Newdale to Tetonia, and Idaho route 32 from Ashton to Tetonia. Many Idaho school districts closed on the 13th and 14 as well.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 873728. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.