Winter Storm in Idaho, December 14 to 15, 2000

One of the strongest winter storms to move across the Idaho panhandle in two years took place from late on the afternoon of December 14 through early afternoon on the 15th as a strengthening cyclone moved across the inland Northwest. The storm started out with a band of heavy snow which moved across the panhandle on the evening of the 14th. Due in part to very cold air in place prior to the storm as well as sporadic lightning and thunder associated with the snow band, snowfall rates reached 1.5" per hour, even at valley elevations. Snowfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches were common at elevations below 3000 feet, while 10 to 16 inches were common above 3000 feet. Strong winds followed the snowfall early on the morning of the 15th along and south of I-90. This led to whiteout conditions in spots and whipped the powdery snow into snow drifts of 3 to 5 feet. Numerous highways were closed for part of the day on the 15th, and nearly all school districts in the Idaho panhandle either cancelled classes or started classes late on the 15th. (See the separate High Wind entry for more details on that aspect of this winter storm.) Specific 24-hour snowfall amounts include: Lookout Pass Ski Area...14", Silver Mountain Ski Area...13", Bovill...9", Saint Maries...8.9", Wallace...8.3", Potlatch...8.0", Colton...8", Kellogg...7.1", Athol...6.3", Sanpoint...6.0", Porthill...6.0", Priest River...5.3", Coeur D'Alene...5", Alder Creek...5.2", Bonners Ferry...4.9", Moscow...4.0", Rosalia...4.0", and Oaksdale...3.5".