A winter storm brought a period of prolonged snowfall across north central Idaho.
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 winter storm brought a period of prolonged snowfall across north central Idaho.
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 Feb 24, 4:36 AM MST, 2 hours 24 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
436 AM MST Sun Feb 24 2019
...PROLONGED SNOW, WIND, AND BITTER WINDCHILL EVENT ACROSS THE
NORTHERN ROCKIES THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...
.DISCUSSION...
A complex and ever-evolving winter storm will be present over the
Northern Rockies today through Tuesday, with various winter
impacts developing over time.
Today through Monday morning, a broad swath of light snow will
exist over north central Idaho, Lemhi County, and west
central/southwest Montana. Snow accumulations in the 2 to 6 inch
range for populated areas are possible. Anticipate hazardous
winter driving conditions in snow- covered roads. Meanwhile,
relatively cold air will be rushing into western Montana valleys
from east of the Continental Divide. East and northeast winds
will be gusting over 30 mph times, particularly near Hellgate
Canyon (near Missoula) and Badrock Canyon (near Kalispell). The
winds in and near Missoula will suppress snow accumulations a bit.
Midday Monday through Tuesday afternoon, a relatively warm surge
of moisture will arrive over the Northern Rockies and interact
with the cold air continuing to move west of the Continental
Divide. The net result is anticipated to be more than 1 foot snow
accumulation over high terrain (particularly Clearwater Mountains,
where close to 2 feet snow accumulation is forecast). Low
elevations of north central Idaho and west central Montana are
expected to receive 4 to 10 inches new snow accumulation, however
there will be pockets (like near Missoula) where snow amounts will
be suppressed by the continuing east winds. Snow rates during
Monday afternoon may surpass 1 inch per hour south of Missoula and
over high terrain, significantly restricting visibility. Northwest
Montana lower elevations will again receive lesser amounts of
snow compared to the rest of the region (up to 3 inches over 24
hours), however travel conditions may deteriorate rapidly Monday
evening. Snow will begin to tapering off by Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday into Thursday could be quiet across the area, with a brief
period of light snow Wednesday afternoon for Central Idaho, West
Central Montana, and Southwest Montana. On Thursday there is a
possibility of a brief period of light snow from Lookout Pass and
along the I-90 corridor. Accumulation will be light maybe a couple
of inches.
This weekend may bring yet another shot of colder air across the
divide, with longer days and a higher sun the impacts should not
be very significant.
&&
.AVIATION...An ever-evolving winter storm will be present over
Northern Rockies during the next 24 hours and beyond. For much of
this time, KBTM and KSMN will experience prolonged instances of
lowered ceiling and visibility due to light snow. KMSO will also
experience lowered ceiling and visibility in light snow today,
however the most likely timeframe is 24/1700Z - 25/0000Z. KMSO
will also experience east winds gusting to 25 knots through
25/1200Z. There is a slight chance that KGPI will also experience
variable conditions today, however more significant will be
northeast winds gusting to 25 knots at times. Terrain
obscurations will be widespread from KMSO southward, while cloud
bases will remain a slight amount above ridges for northwest
Montana (except along Continental Divide) through 25/1200Z.
&&
.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MST Monday Butte/Blackfoot
Region.
Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM MST Monday
Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.
Winter Storm Watch from Monday morning through Tuesday morning
Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains.
Winter Storm Watch from Monday morning through Tuesday morning
Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys.
Winter Storm Watch from Monday morning through Tuesday morning
Lower Clark Fork Region.
Winter Weather Advisory until noon MST today Flathead/Mission
Valleys...West Glacier Region.
ID...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MST Monday Eastern Lemhi
County.
Winter Storm Watch from Monday morning through Tuesday morning
Southern Clearwater Mountains.
Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM PST Tuesday Lower Hells
Canyon/Salmon River Region...Orofino/Grangeville Region.
Winter Storm Watch from Monday morning through Tuesday morning
Northern Clearwater Mountains.
Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MST early this morning
Western Lemhi County.
Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM MST Monday Western Lemhi County.
Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM PST Monday Southern
Clearwater Mountains.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
4 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Heavy snowfall impacted travel over Williams Creek Summit, where 13 inches of snowfall was reported.
A lengthy period of heavy snowfall brought travel impacts to lower elevations of north central Idaho. 22 inches of snow was observed in Grangeville and schools were closed for Monday and Tuesday, February 25 and 26. In addition, Kamiah saw 7 inches.
A prolonged period of snowfall led to significant accumulations with 18 inches being reported in Lowell, 10 inches in Dixie, and 10 inches near Harpster.
Heavy snowfall impacted travel along US 95 with chains being recommended for all travelers. 6 inches of snow was reported in Riggins.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Idaho in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, February 2019
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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 805785, 805783, 805782, 805784.