Idaho, 2000

Blizzard and Winter Storm in Idaho, December 14 to 15, 2000

December 14 to 15, 2000 · NWS MSO · 6 events in 3 counties and zones

Local blizzard conditions were reported over the Camas Prairie with emergency travel only. Grangeville received 8 inches new snow with numerous sustained wind speeds in excess of 40 mph with gusts to 58 mph.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
6

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 MSO wrote it up.

Widespread strong gusty winds and heavy snow impacted north central Idaho on the morning of 12/15/00.Local blizzard conditions were reported over the Camas Prairie with emergency travel only. Grangeville received 8 inches new snow with numerous sustained wind speeds in excess of 40 mph with gusts to 58 mph. In Elk City, wind gusts to 45 mph were reported which snapped tree limbs. Weather spotters in Grangeville, Ferdinand and Cottonwood reported whiteout conditions from strong winds and blowing snow. Heavy snow fell throughout the region. In the lower elevations, Headquarters received 6 inches, Powell 7 inches, Pierce and Elk River 9 inches of new snow. In the mountains, Savage Pass and Hemlocke Butte received 11 inches, Cool Creek 16 inches and Elk Butte 22 inches new snow.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

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

Winter Storm, Northern Clearwater Mountains

When
December 14, 5:00 PM MST to December 15, 5:00 PM MST
Where
Northern Clearwater Mountains forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
46.674, -115.657 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Orofino / Grangeville Region

When
December 14, 5:00 PM MST to December 15, 5:00 PM MST
Where
Orofino / Grangeville Region forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
46.259, -115.562 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Southern Clearwater Mountains

When
December 14, 5:00 PM MST to December 15, 5:00 PM MST
Where
Southern Clearwater Mountains forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
45.844, -115.467 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Orofino / Grangeville Region

When
December 15, 11:40 AM MST to 1:00 PM MST
Where
Orofino / Grangeville Region forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
46.259, -115.562 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Orofino / Grangeville Region

When
December 15, 12:40 PM MST to 1:00 PM MST
Where
Orofino / Grangeville Region forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
46.259, -115.562 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Southern Clearwater Mountains

When
December 15, 1:22 PM MST
Where
Southern Clearwater Mountains forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
45.844, -115.467 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Idaho in 2000Every state in 2000This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, December 2000

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: 5159139, 5159140, 5159141, 5159136, 5159137, 5159138.