Winter Weather — Northern Panhandle, Idaho

2020-12-21 · Northern Panhandle, Idaho

Event narrative

Most of the northern Panhandle received 24 hour rainfall totals up to 0.25 - 0.80. The near to freezing temperatures and wet surfaces created isolated black ice and slick surfaces. The Bonners Ferry Herald reported one fatality and one person injured after hitting black ice on Highway 95 outside of Eastport. Their car hydroplaned and overturned into a creek.

Wider weather episode

A new winter system moved into the Idaho Panhandle as a trough dropped into the Pacific Northwest on December 21st. With the accompanying atmospheric river, this system had substantial moisture with it bringing a wet and windy day ahead. With temperatures still too warm for widespread snow, there was light snow in parts of the far north with the remainder falling as rain.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 933530. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.