Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Idaho, November 7 to 9, 2022

Name: Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Idaho, November 7 to 9, 2022
Start: 2022-11-07T01:00
End: 2022-11-09T20:00
Location: Idaho

November 7 to 9, 2022 · NWS PIH · 21 events in 21 counties and zones

An extended period of extensive Pacific moisture brought strong winds to the region November 7th with periods of heavy snowfall through the 9th. Heavy snowfall fell across much of southeast Idaho especially in high elevations but many low elevation sites saw heavy snowfall as well.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 21 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: 4
Property damage: $3,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 21

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 PIH wrote it up.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

16 heavy snow, 4 winter storm, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Wood River Foothills

When: November 7, 1:00 AM MST to 10:00 AM MST
Where: Wood River Foothills forecast zone
Injuries: 0 direct, 4 indirect
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.412, -113.980 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow caused icy roads and a multi vehicle crash on Highway 75 near the Gimlet subdivision including a Mountain rides bus at around 6:41 AM MST. Several people were taken to St Luke's Hospital in Ketchum. About 3 inches of snow fell in the Hailey region.

Winter Storm, Lower Snake River Plain

When: November 7, 2:00 AM MST to November 9, 7:00 PM MST
Where: Lower Snake River Plain forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.860, -112.488 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 62 mph wind gust was measured at the Pocatello Regional Airport ahead of a frontal passage at 2:44 AM on the 7th. Snow amounts in the Pocatello and Chubbuck area were widespread in the 5 to 7 inch range on the 7th and 8th. For the period the Pocatello Regional Airport measured 8.2 inches with downtown Pocatello 7 inches at the COOP sites.

Heavy Snow, Southern Hills-Albion Mountains

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 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)

An extended period of snow brought estimated snowfall amounts to SNOTEL sites |Bostetter Ranger Station of 16 inches and Howell Canyon 29 inches. The Cotton Ridge mesonet site recorded a 71 mph wind gust on the morning of the 7th.

Winter Storm, Sun Valley Region

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Sun Valley Region forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.826, -114.131 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 70 mph wind gust occurred 4 miles west southwest of Galena and a 62 mph wind gust occurred 2 miles southwest of Ketchum during the morning of November 7th. Heavy snow fell during the 3 day period with the COOP observer in Ketchum reporting 19.3 inches. SNOTEL estimates were: 12 inches Chocolate Gulch, 14 inches Dollarhide Summit, 13 inches Galena, 16 inches Galena Summit, 14 inches Hyndman, and 17 inches Lost Wood Divide.

Heavy Snow, Franklin-Eastern Oneida Region

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Franklin-Eastern Oneida Region forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 42.188, -112.176 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow amount at the Oxford Springs SNOTEL site was 12.3 inches.

Heavy Snow, Blackfoot Mountains

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 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)

An estimated 20.5 inches of snow fell at the Sheep Mountain SNOTEL site. The Bone COOP observer measured 7 inches.

Winter Storm, Eastern Magic Valley

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Eastern Magic Valley forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.811, -113.514 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An extended period of Pacific moisture influx led to strong winds early in the event then extensive snow moving forward. The Burley Regional Airport recorded a 59 mph wind gust on the 7th while the Oakley COOP observer measured 7.5 inches of snow during the event.

Heavy Snow, Centennial Mountains-Island Park

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Centennial Mountains-Island Park forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.091, -111.680 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A period of a long atmospheric river event led to extremely heavy snowfall for an extended period. The Island Park COOP observer measured 21 inches of snow. SNOTEL estimates were: 27 inches Crab Creek, 19 inches Island Park, and 39 inches White Elephant.

Heavy Snow, Beaverhead-Lemhi Highlands

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Beaverhead-Lemhi Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.004, -112.761 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An extended period of snow brought amounts of 11.3 inches at the Dubois COOP site and 10.7 inches to the Small COOP site.

Heavy Snow, Lost River Range

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Lost River Range forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 43.982, -113.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated 26 inches of snow fell at the Hilts Creek SNOTEL site.

Winter Storm, Upper Snake River Plain

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Upper Snake River Plain forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.805, -111.767 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged winter event brought 40 to 55 mph wind gusts on the 7th early in the event and substantial snows later. COOP observers in Idaho Falls, Menan, and Rigby reported 5 to 7 inches of snow during the event.

Heavy Snow, Arco-Mud Lake Desert

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Arco-Mud Lake Desert forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.537, -112.374 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

COOP observers after an extended period of snow measured 11.7 inches at Craters of the Moon National Monument and 6 inches at Hamer.

Heavy Snow, Sawtooth-Stanley Basin

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Sawtooth-Stanley Basin forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 43.826, -114.131 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated 16.5 inches of snow fell at the Vienna Mine SNOTEL site.

Heavy Snow, Big Lost Highlands-Copper Basin

When: November 7, 5:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Big Lost Highlands-Copper Basin forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 43.792, -113.811 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Estimated SNOTEL snow amounts were 16 inches at Bear Canyon, 29 inches at Smiley Mountain, and 15 inches at Swede Peak.

Heavy Snow, Big Hole Mountains

When: November 7, 6:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Big Hole Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 43.644, -111.494 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Pine Creek Pass SNOTEL site received an estimated 15.5 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Marsh and Arbon Highlands

When: November 7, 7:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Marsh and Arbon Highlands forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 42.838, -112.256 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Estimated 3 day snowfall totals at SNOTEL sites Sedgwick Peak 34 inches and Wildhorse Divide 23 inches. The COOP observers in Downey measured 8 inches and Inkom 9 inches.

Heavy Snow, Bear River Range

When: November 7, 7:00 AM MST to November 9, 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)

Estimated SNOTEL amounts were 15 inches at Emigrant Summit and 25 inches at Franklin Basin.

Heavy Snow, Caribou Range

When: November 7, 7:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Caribou Range forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 42.815, -111.502 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

SNOTEL snow estimates were 16 inches at Slug Creek Divide and 12 inches at Somsen Ranch. The Swan Valley COOP observer measured 8 inches.

Heavy Snow, Lost River Valleys

When: November 7, 7:00 AM MST to November 9, 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)

Heavy snow amounts at COOP sites were 8 inches at Chilly Barton Flats and 13 inches at Mackay.

Heavy Snow, Frank Church Wilderness

When: November 7, 7:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Frank Church Wilderness forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 44.241, -114.282 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated 12 inches of snow fell at the Mill Creek Summit SNOTEL site.

Heavy Snow, Bear Lake Valley

When: November 8, 10:00 AM MST to November 9, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Bear Lake Valley forecast zone
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 42.285, -111.330 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Very heavy wet snow was reported by the Department of Highways and Emergency managers during the evening of the 8th into the morning of the 9th in the Bear Lake Valley. Snow amounts reported were 16 inches at Emigration Summit, 11 inches 4 miles west southwest of Geneva, 6 inches at Montpelier, 4 inches at Geneva, 4 inches at St Charles and 3 inches in Paris. In Paris, several tree limbs were downed onto power lines ant Rocky Mountain Power reported 2,000 customers without power in Bear Lake County.

What these are

Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
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.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Idaho in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in Idaho, November 2022

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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1062937, 1063542, 1063527, 1063539, 1063543, 1063545, 1063621, 1063655, 1063706, 1063730, 1063732, 1063744, 1063774, 1063777, 1063637, 1063530, 1063544, 1063546, 1063724, 1063768, 1063791.