Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in Idaho, April 8 to 9, 1999
Start: 1999-04-08T21:00
End: 1999-04-09T15:00
Location: Idaho

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $230,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 3

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PIH wrote it up.

A winter storm brought widespread snow to Eastern Idaho with blizzard conditions reported in the Magic Valley. Heavy snow and strong winds were reported in the Burley area with accumulation of up to 6 inches and drifts of up to 2 feet. Numerous vehicle accidents and slide offs were reported along I-84 and secondary roads. Major accidents closed I-84 for 10 hours and caused a 15 mile backup on the interstate. Dozens of injured, including two sheriff deputies, were transported to local hospitals. Other injuries included 9 university students when their bus collided with a truck. A major contributor to the accidents was the near zero visibilities reported in many locations by ISP. Wind caused power outages to some 6000 homes and businesses in the Magic Valley. Accumulation of 8 to 12 inches were reported in the mountains of South Central Idaho and Upper Snake Highlands. Strong winds behind the cold front brought widespread blowing and drifting of snow, along with road closures and minor vehicle accidents.

Event by event

2 winter storm, 1 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Blizzard, Eastern Magic Valley

When: April 8, 9:00 PM MST to April 9, 3:00 PM MST
Where: Eastern Magic Valley forecast zone
Property damage: $230,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm, South Central Highlands

When: April 8, 9:00 PM MST to April 9, 3:00 PM MST
Where: South Central Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm, Upper Snake Highlands

When: April 8, 9:00 PM MST to April 9, 3:00 PM MST
Where: Upper Snake Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

What these are

Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.
Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Idaho in 1999 Every state in 1999 This day in weather history Warnings in Idaho, April 1999

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5690935, 5690936, 5690937.