Idaho, 2018

Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Idaho, December 27 to 29, 2018

December 27 to 29, 2018 · NWS OTX · 4 events in 3 counties and zones

A moist warm front passed through the region on December 28th. Widespread moderate and locally heavy snow amounts were noted in the mountains and valleys of north Idaho.

Where it happened

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.

  • 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
4

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 OTX wrote it up.

A moist warm front passed through the region on December 28th. Widespread moderate and locally heavy snow amounts were noted in the mountains and valleys of north Idaho. During the late afternoon and evening of December 29th the following cold front passed through the region. A deep fetch of Pacific moisture along this front fell mainly as rain in the valleys but in the mountains of the Idaho Panhandle heavy snow was noted and impacted travel across area passes.

The radar

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

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Event by event

2 winter weather, 2 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Northern Panhandle

When
December 27, 6:00 PM PST to December 28, 7:00 AM PST
Where
Northern Panhandle forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
48.247, -116.588 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Multiple CoCoRaHS observers reported 3 to 4 inches of snow accumulation in the valleys of the northern Idaho Panhandle with an overnight warm front passage. The snow tapered off to rain showers during the morning of December 28th with no further accumulation in the valleys.

Winter Weather, Coeur D'Alene Area

When
December 27, 6:00 PM PST to December 28, 7:00 AM PST
Where
Coeur D'Alene Area forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
47.675, -116.700 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Multiple CoCoRaHS observers reported 3 to 4 inches of snow accumulation in the Coeur D'Alene area with an overnight warm front passage. The snow tapered off to rain showers during the morning of December 28th with no further accumulation.

Heavy Snow, Central Panhandle Mountains

When
December 28, 8:00 PM PST to December 29, 10:00 PM PST
Where
Central Panhandle Mountains forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
47.265, -116.491 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Lookout Pass ski resort reported a storm total snow accumulation of 24.0 inches from this storm system.

Heavy Snow, Central Panhandle Mountains

When
December 28, 8:00 PM PST to December 29, 10:00 PM PST
Where
Central Panhandle Mountains forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
47.265, -116.491 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Silver Mountain ski resort reported a storm total snow accumulation of 24.0 inches from this storm system.

What these are

Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Heavy Snow
Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Idaho in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, December 2018

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: 793335, 793336, 793337, 793338.