Idaho, 2020Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Idaho, January 1, 2020
January 1, 2020 · NWS PIH · 7 events in 7 counties and zones
A strong Pacific storm system brought heavy snow and strong winds to much of Eastern Idaho from very late on December 31st through New Year's Day. The heaviest snow fell in the Centennial Mountains/Island Park area where 10 to 20 inches were common.
Every event with a place to put it; 7 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 7
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.
A strong Pacific storm system brought heavy snow and strong winds to much of Eastern Idaho from very late on December 31st through New Year's Day. The heaviest snow fell in the Centennial Mountains/Island Park area where 10 to 20 inches were common. The Upper Snake Plain received widespread 6 to 8 inch snow amounts with parking restrictions instituted in Idaho Falls on the 1st.
Winter Storm, Upper Snake River Plain
- When
- January 1, 12:01 AM MST to 6:00 PM MST
- Where
- Upper Snake River Plain forecast zone
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 43.805, -111.767 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Heavy snowfall fell on New Year's Day. Widespread amounts of 5 to 8 inches were recorded in the Upper Snake River Plain including 6 to 8 inches in Idaho Falls, 5 to 7 inches in Rexburg, 6 inches in Rigby, 7 inches in Menan. The city of Idaho Falls enacted parking restrictions on New Year's Day to clear room for snow plows.
Heavy Snow, Centennial Mountains-Island Park
- When
- January 1, 12:01 AM MST to 8:00 PM MST
- Where
- Centennial Mountains-Island Park forecast zone
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 44.091, -111.680 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
A strong Pacific storm and associated cold front brought very heavy snow to the Centennial Mountains and Island Park. Trained spotters and COOP observers reported 10 inches in Island Park. SNOTEL amounts were: 12 inches Crab Creek, 16 inches Island Park, and 19 inches White Elephant.
Heavy Snow, Lost River Valleys
- When
- January 1, 12:01 AM MST to 8:00 PM MST
- Where
- Lost River Valleys forecast zone
- Reported by
- COOP Observer
- Coordinates
- 43.982, -113.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
A strong Pacific storm brought 8 inches of snow to Chilly Barton Flat and 7 inches in Mackay.
Heavy Snow, Caribou Range
- When
- January 1, 12:01 AM MST to 8:00 PM MST
- Where
- Caribou Range forecast zone
- Reported by
- COOP Observer
- Coordinates
- 42.815, -111.502 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
A strong Pacific storm brought heavy snow to the Caribou Range. The COOP observer in Swan Valley recorded 10 inches of snow. SNOTEL amounts were 9 inches at Giveout, 8 inches at Slug Creek Divide, and 12 inches at Somsen Ranch.
Heavy Snow, Southern Hills-Albion Mountains
- When
- January 1, 12:01 AM MST to 8:00 PM MST
- Where
- Southern Hills-Albion Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- SNOTEL
- Coordinates
- 42.284, -113.600 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Snow amounts were 8 inches at Bostetter Ranger Station and 11 inches at Howell Canyon.
Heavy Snow, Bear River Range
- When
- January 1, 12:01 AM MST to 8:00 PM MST
- Where
- Bear River Range forecast zone
- Reported by
- SNOTEL
- Coordinates
- 42.412, -111.568 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Ten inches of snow fell at Emigrant Summit and 9 inches fell at Franklin Basin.
Heavy Snow, Blackfoot Mountains
- When
- January 1, 12:01 AM MST to 8:00 PM MST
- Where
- Blackfoot Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- SNOTEL
- Coordinates
- 43.125, -111.858 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Sheep Mountain recorded 11 inches of snow.
- Winter Storm
- A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
- 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.
- Avalanche in Montana, January 1, 20202 deaths · 1 event
- Debris Flows in Idaho, January 1, 2020$2.0 million · 2 events
- Flood in Alaska, January 1 to 16, 2020$200,000 · 1 event
- Flood in Wisconsin, January 1 to 2, 2020$96,000 · 1 event
- Drought in Texas, January 1 to 31, 202020 events
- Winter Storm and High Wind in Wyoming, January 1 to 2, 2020$15,000 · 66 kt wind · 7 events
- Blizzard and High Wind in Wyoming, January 1, 202071 kt wind · 12 events
- High Surf in Hawaii, January 1 to 2, 202012 events
- Drought in New Mexico, January 1 to 31, 202011 events
- Drought in Texas, January 1 to 31, 202010 events
- Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Colorado, January 1 to 3, 202010 events
- Flooding in South Dakota, January 1 to 31, 20206 events
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: 873312, 873313, 873318, 873321, 873325, 873328, 873329.