A strong upper level jet stream combined with above normal Pacific moisture gave the right combination for heavy snowfall across the central Idaho mountains.
Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS MSO wrote it up.
A strong upper level jet stream combined with above normal Pacific moisture gave the right combination for heavy snowfall across the central Idaho mountains.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Missoula, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 28, 1:17 PM PST, 13 hours 13 minutes earlier.
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</html>The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 heavy snow, 2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
The Lolo Pass SNOTEL recorded 20 of total snowfall with 2.30 of snow water equivalent between Jan. 28-30. It reported heavy snowfall between 6 am and 1 pm PST on Jan. 29. The Dixie COOP reported a storm total snowfall of 14.4 with 0.92 liquid equivalent.
The Lost Trail Ski Resort reported 6 of heavy snow by 10:23 am MST on Jan. 29. The MT DOT reported snow, blowing and drifting snow at Lost Trail during the afternoon and evening hours on Jan. 29. According to the Saddle Mountain SNOTEL located 1 mile west of Lost Trail Pass on US-93, 16 of total snow with 1.90 snow water equivalent fell between Jan. 29-30. Salmon saw 7 of heavy snow that mainly fell on Jan 29. The Salmon School District closed early because of the snow loading concerns with their aging roofs. Other total snowfall amounts include: 6 Carmen and 3 in May.
The Pierce observer reported a three day snowfall total of 16.5 with 2.26 of precipitation. The Crater Meadows SNOTEL located 25 miles east-northeast of Pierce measured 28 of total snowfall with 4.40 of snow water equivalent.
At 7:34 am PST on Jan 29., the Idaho State highway patrol reported freezing rain at Cottonwood. A weather spotter located 3 miles northwest of Ferdinand measured a thin coating of glaze on their patio. Anywhere from 5 to 10 inches of snow fell in the vicinity of Orofino between Jan. 29-30.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Idaho in 2014Every state in 2014This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, January 2014
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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 500170, 500171, 500172, 500173.