Thunderstorm Wind — Elmore, Idaho

2021-05-01 · near (muo)mountain Home A, Elmore, Idaho

Event narrative

The AWOS at Mountain Home AFB measured a 58 MPH wind gust with several reports of damage received by the public. A dust storm from the gust front of a nearby thunderstorm reduced visibility to near zero, resulting in a 7 car accident with 3 fatalities. Idaho State Police officials reported the accident was on Highway 51, southeast of Mountain Home. ISP officials have determined the dust storm reduced visibility significantly and was the cause of the accident.

Wider weather episode

The month of May started with a bang as a low pressure system moved through the Intermountain West, producing thunderstorms with severe winds, dust storms and small hail.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (43.0300, -115.8700)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 952438. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.