Tornado in Idaho, December 14, 2000

A strong frontal system moved through southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho during the late evening/early morning hours of December 14th and 15th. A weak tornado formed on the leading edge of the gust front and touched down in a largely rural area of Nampa. A National Weather Service storm survey found evidence that suggested the tornado touched down intermittently over a period of approximately 3 minutes and traveled approximately one mile through a rural area scattered with a few subdivisions. At it's widest, path width was estimated at 30 yards. The tornado was witnessed by a naval officer who described the tornado as a well defined rope-like funnel which was occasionally lighted by exploding transformers and power line arching at the base of the funnel. Damage along the path was confined to shingle damage to a number of homes, a power pole snapped off at it's base and a 3 foot diameter tree uprooted. No injuries occurred with this tornado and damage estimates were not available.