A strong storm system brought significant snowfall and difficult travel conditions to all of southeast Idaho over the Christmas holiday.   Several traffic accidents occurred with two fatalities occurring on interstate 15 just south of Pocatello.  6 to 20 inch snowfall amounts were common throughout the region making holiday travel extremely difficult.

Winter Storm in LOWER SNAKE RIVER PLAIN, IDAHO
From 24-DEC-14 22:00:00 to 25-DEC-14 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A powerful winter storm dropped 6 to 8 inches of snow in the cities of Chubbuck and Pocatello with 8 to 10 inches on the Pocatello east and west benches.   A fatal traffic accident occurred on interstate 15 in south Pocatello in which a mother and her daughter died with injuries to 5 other children in the vehicle.   The accident occurred around 11 am and closed interstate 15 in both directions for nearly two hours.  Another accident on interstate 15 in Pocatello occurred around 5 pm with three injuries.

Winter Storm in EASTERN MAGIC VALLEY, IDAHO
From 24-DEC-14 22:00:00 to 25-DEC-14 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four to 8 inches of snow fell in the Eastern Magic Valley with road conditions becoming dangerous with several accidents reported on interstates 84 and 86.  The westbound lanes of interstate 84 were closed between Burley and Twin Falls due to an accident involving a semi between 330 am and 530 am on Christmas Day.   White out conditions were reported on interstate 84.

Winter Storm in UPPER SNAKE RIVER PLAIN, IDAHO
From 24-DEC-14 21:00:00 to 25-DEC-14 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotters reported 6 inches of snow in Idaho Falls and 7 inches in Rigby.

Heavy Snow in SAWTOOTH MOUNTAINS, IDAHO
From 24-DEC-14 13:00:00 to 25-DEC-14 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The following snowfall amounts were reported by SNOTEL sites:  Bear Canyon 8 inches, Mill Creek Summit 7 inches, and Smiley Mountain 18 inches.

Winter Storm in UPPER SNAKE HIGHLANDS, IDAHO
From 24-DEC-14 16:00:00 to 25-DEC-14 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow and strong winds made travel difficult Christmas day in the Upper Snake River Highlands.   Spotters reported 10 inches of snow in Island Park and 9 inches in St Anthony with extensive blowing and drifting snow.    High elevation SNOTEL amounts were the following:  20 inches Black Bear, 9 inches Island Park, 15 inches Phillips Bench, and 16 inches White Elephant.

Winter Storm in SOUTH CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, IDAHO
From 24-DEC-14 16:00:00 to 25-DEC-14 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Sixteen inches of snow fell at Bostetter Ranger Station with 18 inches at Howell Canyon.

Winter Storm in CARIBOU HIGHLANDS, IDAHO
From 24-DEC-14 13:00:00 to 25-DEC-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The following SNOTEL snow amounts were recorded:  9 inches Pine Creek Pass, 10 inches Sedgwick Peak, 10 inches Sheep Mountain, and 13 inches at Wildhorse Divide.

Winter Storm in WASATCH MOUNTAINS/IADHO PORTION, IDAHO
From 24-DEC-14 14:00:00 to 25-DEC-14 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Eleven inches of snow fell at Emigrant Summit with 8 inches at Slug Creek Divide.

Winter Storm in BIG AND LITTLE WOOD RIVER REGION, IDAHO
From 24-DEC-14 12:00:00 to 25-DEC-14 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow reports from spotters included 8 inches in Hailey, 10 inches in Bellevue, and 12 inches in Ketchum.   SNOTEL snowfall was the following:  9 inches at Chocolate Gulch, 11 inches at Garfield Ranger Station, 12 inches at Galena, 18 inches at Galena Summit, 9 inches at Hyndman, 9 inches at Swede Peak, 11 inches at Lost Wood Divide,  and 11 inches at Vienna Mine.

Winter Storm in LOST RIVER / PAHSIMEROI, IDAHO
From 24-DEC-14 15:00:00 to 25-DEC-14 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

SNOTEL snowfall reports were the following:  11 inches Meadow Lake, 12 inches Moonshine, and 9 inches Morgan Creek.