Winter Storm and Avalanche in Idaho, January 7 to 11, 2017

The COOP observer in Stanley received 31 inches of snow from this storm bringing the snow depth in the city to 47 inches. A warehouse and garage collapsed in Custer County and it was declared a disaster area. Idaho Highway 75 was closed out of Stanley to Galena Summit and Highway 21 was closed. Highway 75 was also closed from Stanley to Clayton. For a time on the 11th and 12th you could not drive into or out of Stanley. Snow amounts from SNOTEL sites were the following: Bear Canyon 38 inches, Mill Creek Summit 50 inches, Smiley Mountain 44 inches, and Stickney Mill 33 inches.

A winter storm brought heavy snow, wind and difficult travel to the Upper Snake Highlands. Low elevation snow amounts were 7 inches in Driggs, Dubois and St Anthony. Amounts from SNOTEL sites were the following: 19 inches at Crab Creek, 41 inches at Island Park, and 45 inches at White Elephant. The combination of snow and wind closed the following roads the morning of the 11th: Highway 32 from Tetonia to Ashton, Highway 33 from Newdale to Tetonia, and Highway 47 from Ashton to Bear Gulch.

A strong Pacific storm system brought days of heavy snow to the Idaho Wasatch. The COOP observer in Bern recorded 24 inches of snow. SNOTEL amounts were the following: Emigrant Summit 65 inches, Giveout 32 inches, and Slug Creek Divide 41 inches.

A strong Pacific storm brought extremely heavy four day snow totals to the South Central Highlands. Amounts at SNOTEL sites were: 22 inches at Bostetter Ranger Station, 41 inches at Howell Canyon, and 41 inches at Oxford Springs.

A very strong and wet Pacific storm brought very heavy snow to high elevations of the Caribou Highlands. Valley amounts recorded by COOP observer in Downey were 9.5 inches. SNOTEL sties recorded the following: Pine Creek Pass 21 inches, Sedgwick Peak 63 inches, Somsen Ranch 26 inches, Sheep Mountain 25 inches, and Wildhorse Divide 25 inches.

A massive Pacific Storm brought heavy snow for over 4 days to the Big and Little Wood River region. Snow amounts recorded by COOP observers were 33 inches in Bellevue, 29 inches in Picabo, and 37.5 inches in Ketchum. The snow depth at the Ketchum Ranger Station reached 53 inches at the end of the event. Several avalanches closed Warm Springs Road west of Ketchum on the 9th as well as Highway 75 north of Galena. SNOTEL amounts were the following: 47 inches at Chocolate Gulch, 67 inches at Dollarhide Summit, 36 inches at Garfield Ranger Station, 46 inches at Galena, 41 inches at Galena Summit, 39 inches at Hyndman, 62 inches at Lost Wood Divide, 46 inches at Swede Peak, and 71 inches at Vienna Mine.

A strong and wet multi-day Pacific Storm brought heavy snow to the Lost River/Pahsimeroi region. Snowfall reports were 8 inches in the Chilly Barton Flats area and 13 to 20 inches in the Mackay region reported by COOP observers and spotters. 18 inches fell at the Hilt's Creek SNOTEL site.

Northern parts of the Eastern Magic Valley received extremely heavy snowfall. The Richfield COOP site recorded 22 inches and the Picabo COOP site had 29 inches.

A very powerful Pacific storm brought snow then rain then snow again and strong winds to the Lower Snake River Plain. The multiple day snow totals were 6.5 inches in Aberdeen, 7 inches in American Falls, 4.5 inches in Fort Hall, and 3 to 6 inches in the Pocatello/Chubbuck area. School District 25 in the Pocatello area was closed for the 3rd consecutive day on the 9th as warm temperatures melted snow and caused water to pond on ice on neighborhood roads. This caused the highlands to be unable to be reached by buses. In Pocatello there were 4 change overs from snow to rain to snow in the period from the 7th to the 11th.

Periods of snow and rain occurred for over 4 days with the city of Preston recording 7.4 inches. Preston schools were closed on the 11th. A fatal automobile accident occurred on US Highway 91 on the evening of the 9th in part due to icy road conditions.

A powerful winter storm brought snow, rain and wind to the Upper Snake River Plain Snow amounts in between the changeover to rain were 5 inches in Hamer, 6 inches in Idaho Falls, 10 inches at the INL site west of Idaho Falls, and 15 inches at Craters of the Moon. US Highway 20/26 was closed west of Arco to the Butte-Blaine County line the morning of the 11th due to ice on roadway and blowing and drifting snow.

Extensive flooding reported in the City of Malta, particularly for areas west of Highway 81 where water entered many homes. At least knee deep water was reported running down city streets on Tuesday night, January 10th. Water entered many homes in the city to the west of Highway 81.

A few people have been displaced from homes as a result of home flooding. Many county roads closed throughout Cassia County as a result of flooding. 1 to 2 feet of water on Highway 30 from Burley to the county line. Many basements have received water throughout the county. Birch Creek flowing onto city streets in Oakley. Many streets in Oakley under water. Canals are at bankfull. Canal engineers working to contain flow.

A Couple of Cars needed to be removed from flood water at the intersection of 400S and 1150W west of Heyburn. Street flooding in Heyburn has resulted in the closure of some streets, particularly near the Snake River.

Ten avalanches affected Warm Springs Road west of Ketchum closing it on the 9th. Sage Road and Huffman Drive off of Warm Springs road also were closed except to residences.

Highway 75 was closed due to an avalanche from extremely heavy snow from Stanley to Clayton from the 9th through the 11th.

An ice jam on the Big Lost River caused a diversion of the river flow, and combined with heavy rain resulted in minor flooding in the City of Darlington and along Highway 93 between Darlington and Mackay. The area near Antelope Crk continues to see minor ice buildup. Sheriff Wes Collins mentioned that there have been no reported infrastructure impacts.

Extensive sheet flooding in fields and street flooding in Bancroft.

Some water over the road on Highway 91 near Swanlake.

Some flooding in the NE corner of Preston, especially around the Country Club/golf course. Water over the road on Highway 34 in Preston. Also, water reported over the road on Highway 36 up to Mile Marker 7. Water has not been deep enough to necessitate road closures.

Ice Jam on Birch Creek caused high water over Hwy 28 near Lone Pine on the border of Lemhi and Clark counties.