Another powerful and moist Pacific storm brought heavy snow and strong winds yet again to southeast Idaho. Multiple roads were closed again due to snow and wind with heavy amounts recorded.
Every event with a place to put it; 16 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 PIH wrote it up.
Another powerful and moist Pacific storm brought heavy snow and strong winds yet again to southeast Idaho. Multiple roads were closed again due to snow and wind with heavy amounts recorded.
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 Pocatello, ID wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 26, 2:22 AM MST, 1 hour 38 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pocatello ID 222 AM MST Sun Feb 26 2023 .SHORT TERM...Today through Monday night. WV imagery this morning shows upper trough just off the WA/OR coast and a cutoff low over California. The low is starting to eject eastward with the approach of the trough with mid and upper clouds spreading into southeast Idaho. Models show the precipitation will begin in earnest around 18Z which is mostly snow, but areas of rain are noted along the I-86 corridor between Burley and Pocatello through the afternoon, changing over to snow in the evening. The surface gradient will tighten as the trough approaches, and winds are expected to be strong in the Upper Snake Plain and Teton Valley. Thus we can expect blowing snow in those areas. Snow totals for the storm range from less than an inch in the Snake Plain, around 3 to 5 inches on the benches, and 12 to 18 inches above 7000 ft in the Bear River Range, Big Hole, and the Island Park Area. The higher ridgetops of the Sawtooth Range can get up to 10 inches. For headlines, have decided to keep it rather simple. Winter Storm Warnings are out for the Bear River Range, Big Hole, and Island Park areas, while a Winter Weather Advisory is out for much of the Southern Hills, Southeastern Highlands, the Teton Valley, and the Stanley Basin/Sawtooth Range above 7000 ft. Hinsberger .LONG TERM...Tuesday through Sunday. Long term trend will be a continuing of the winter pattern of well below normal temperatures through next weekend with periods of snow as well. Snow will linger mainly in the eastern highlands during the day Tuesday but will have at least a chance through Wednesday morning as the first upper wave exits Tuesday and another weak system moves through eastern Idaho early Wednesday. Expect another 2 to 6 inches of snow in the eastern mountains Tuesday and Tuesday night with a half inch to an inch and a half in the Snake River Plain and 1 to 3 inches in the central mountains. Wednesday evening through Thursday will likely be the driest period of the long term. Expect periods of snow Thursday night through Sunday with timing uncertainty but all operational models and the blend keep some snow with Idaho under an upper level trof through the period. Expect breezy to windy conditions on Tuesday behind the second system with widespread blowing mountain snow expected. Expect the worst travel impacts to be Tuesday with lingering snow and strong winds. The transition from February to March is going to see a continuing of the lengthy winter pattern of cold and moist conditions. GK && .AVIATION... Expect VFR conditions to continue this morning ahead of a rapidly approaching Pacific system. Conditions will deteriorate rapidly after 18Z with all TAF sites expected to go to MVFR to IFR conditions in low ceilings and snow with the potential for rain and or snow at BYI after 18Z. Will see a wind increase to sustained 10 to 20 knots with gusts 20 to 30 knots at all sites as well after 18Z. Expect the MVFR and IFR conditions to gradually improve after 06Z. GK && .PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 5 AM MST Monday for IDZ056>059-061>063-065. Winter Storm Warning from 11 AM this morning to 5 AM MST Monday for IDZ060-064-066. Winter Weather Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 11 PM MST this evening for IDZ072-073. &&
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
13 winter storm, 2 winter weather, 1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Extremely heavy snow fell once again with the Bern COOP site recording 15 inches of snowfall with the system.
SNOTEL snowfall estimates were 47 inches at Emigrant Summit and 44 inches at Franklin Basin.
Heavy snow and strong winds caused hazardous road conditions. Winds gusted to 40 to 50 mph. Grace School District 148 closed on the 27th and 28th. Soda Springs School District 15 closed on the 28th and North Gem School District 149 also closed on the 28th.Snow amounts estimated at 9 inches at Sheep Mountain SNOTEL with measured amounts of 10 inches at Bone and 9 inches at Soda Springs.
Heavy snow and wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph closed US Highway 26 from Ririe to the Wyoming border. The LDS Church in Swan Valley was set up to house stranded motorists until the road was reopened. Snowfall amounts were 6 inches at the Swan Valley COOP site with SNOTEL estimates of 15 inches at Giveout, 23 inches at Slug Creek Divide, and 13 inches at Somsen Ranch. A police car was destroyed near Antelope Creek Road on US 26 by a snowplow with multiple accidents and slide offs prior to the closing of the road.
Another round of heavy snow and wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph again closed several roads. US Highway 20 closed from Ashton to the Montana state line. Idaho Highway 47 closed from Ashton to Warm River. Idaho Highway 87 closed from Island Park to the Montana state line. 20 inches of snow was estimated at the White elephant SNOTEL site. 12 inches was recorded at Macks Inn and 8 inches at Island Park.
Extremely heavy snow fell and combined with wind gusts in excess of 30 mph to create extremely hazardous travel conditions. The COOP site at Malad City measured 11 inches of snow and the Preston COOP site measured 17 inches of snow. Preston schools closed on the 28th. The estimated snow amount at the Oxford Springs SNOTEL site was 27 inches.
US Highway 26 closed from Carey to Arco due to snow and wind gusts 40 to 60 mph causing the road to become unpassable. Snow amounts ranges from 2 to 8 inches in the region.
Another round of snow brought heavy amounts with 3.5 inches in American Falls, 4.5 inches in Pocatello, 5.7 inches at the Pocatello Regional Airport and 6 to 8 inchs on the Pocatello benches.
COOP snow totals were 9 inches at Inkom and 6.5 inches at McCammon. SNOTEL estimates were 34 inches at Sedgwick Peak and 11 inches at Wildhorse Divide. Marsh Valley School District 21 was closed due to hazardous road conditions on the 28th.
Heavy snow and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph closed US Highway 26 from Carey to Arco. The Richfield COOP observer measured 8 inches of snowfall with the system.
Estimated SNOTEL snowfall amounts were 14 inches at Bostetter Ranger Station and 22 inches at Howell Canyon.
Another powerful winter storm with heavy snow and wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph caused extensive road closures. Snow amounts ranged from 6 to 10 inches and the following roads were closed due to snow, blowing snow and drifting: US Highway 20 from Ashton to the Montana state line, Idaho Highway 32 from Ashton to Tetonia, and Idaho Highway 33 from Newdale to Tetonia.
Another round of snow and extreme wind gusts over 40 mph caused extensive road closures. Residents of Roberts were advised to shelter in place due to the extreme road conditions and Roberts Elementary School was closed on the 27th. Jefferson School District 251 Roberts residents were also excused from attending. Snow amounts were 4 to 6 inches with 4.5 inches in Idaho Falls. The following road closures occurred: US Highway 20 from Idaho Falls to the US Highway intersection, US Highway 26 from Ririe to the Wyoming state line, and Idaho Highway 33 from Newdale to Tetonia.
Measured snow amounts were 8 inches at Hailey, 4.5 inches at Bellevue, and 4 inches at Picabo.
Estimated SNOTEL snowfall amounts were 14 inches at Bostetter Ranger Station and 22 inches at Howell Canyon. Generally lesser amounts, less than 8 inches, fell across lower elevations during this multi-day winter event.
Snow combined with wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph to close US Highway 26 from Carey to Arco and USD Highway 20 from Idaho Falls to the US 26 junction. West Jefferson School District 253 closed on the 27th due to road conditions. No official snow amounts were received but were likely in the 4 to 8 inch range.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Idaho in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, February 2023
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: 1083775, 1083776, 1083785, 1083796, 1083812, 1083882, 1083891, 1083895, 1083900, 1083914, 1083918, 1083922, 1083927, 1083929, 1109565, 1083768.