An extended atmospheric river event occurred for an entire week.   Extremely heavy snow fell in the mountains with amounts at SNOTEL sites reaching as high as 5 to 8 feet for the week.  Many roads closed through the mountains.   Schools closed and some sheet flooding began mainly in Bingham and Minidoka counties where temperatures warmed significantly.  Avalanches also occurred in the central mountains with the heavy snowfall accompanied with warmer temperatures.  The storm wrapped up a month of record snowfall in the Upper Snake Highlands where the Island Park COOP observer recorded over 100 inches for the month.

Winter Storm in ARCO-MUD LAKE DESERT, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 27-FEB-19 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snow and wind caused the closure of US Highway 20 from Carey to Arco and also from Idaho Falls to the US Highway 26 intersection.   Snow amounts were not significant and the roads were opened later on in the storm after the closures from the 24th through the 25th.   The West Jefferson Schools were closed on the 25th due to the hazardous travel conditions.

Flood in BINGHAM, IDAHO
From 25-FEB-19 04:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: ABERDEEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A rapid warm up with rain caused extensive snow melt and flooding in Bingham County.   900 West to 100 South starting on Highway 39 to Thomas Road was closed due to high water.   Many other roads had running water over them.   Many farm fields suffered flooding and standing water on them and one home in Aberdeen became surrounded by water.   Overall damage was not significant with the flooding.

Winter Storm in BIG HOLE MOUNTAINS, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Pine Creek Pass SNOTEL recorded 21.5 inches of snow during the long event.  US Highway 33 was closed from Victor to the Wyoming state line on the 25th and Highway 31 was also closed west of Victor on the 25th.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN HILLS-ALBION MOUNTAINS, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Bostetter Ranger Station recorded 11.5 inches of snow.   The Howell Canyon SNOTEL recorded 31 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in MARSH AND ARBON HIGHLANDS, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Sedgwick Peak SNOTEL recorded 16 inches of snow and the Wildhorse Divide SNOTEL recorded 11 inches.

Winter Storm in BIG LOST HIGHLANDS-COPPER BASIN, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

An extended atmospheric river event the last week of February led to some incredibly high snow totals.   Amounts for the week occurred at the following SNOTEL sites:  Bear Canyon 54 inches, Garfield Ranger Station 29 inches, Smiley Mountain 69 inches,  Stickney Mill 20 inches, and Swede Peak 59 inches.

Winter Storm in CARIBOU RANGE, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Idaho Highway 34 was closed on the 25th and 26th due to snow and high winds from Soda Springs to the Wyoming border.   The Slug Creek Divide SNOTEL recorded 9 inches of snow and the Somsen Ranch SNOTEL recorded 10 inches.

Winter Storm in TETON VALLEY, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Heavy snow and winds caused extensive problems in the Teton Valley.   All Fremont County schools were closed from the 25th through the 28th due to road conditions and road closures.   The Teton school district was closed on the 25th.   Road closures for several days were State Highway 32 from Tetonia to Ashton, State Highway 33 from Newdale to Tetonia, and State highway 47 from Ashton to one mile north of the Warm Springs area.

Winter Storm in UPPER SNAKE RIVER PLAIN, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 26-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow fell in parts of the  Upper Snake River Plain early in the long winter storm.   From the 23rd through the 25th, Idaho Falls recorded 3 inches, Rigby 5 inches, Sugar City 9 inches and Saint Anthony 12 inches.   The snow and winds caused the closing of US Highway 20 from Idaho Falls west to Butte City on the 25th impacting the INL commute.

Winter Storm in CENTENNIAL MOUNTAINS-ISLAND PARK, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A long lasting atmospheric river event caused enormous amounts of snow and combined with wind nearly shut down the Island Park area and Centennial Mountains.   The Island Park COOP observer recorded 31.1 inches of snow with the storm and set a February snowfall record at the site with 109.9 inches for the month.   The White Elephant SNOTEL site recorded an incredible 90 inches.    The Crab Creek and Island Park SNOTEL sites both recorded 23 inches.   US Highway 20 was closed from Ashton to the Montana border throughout the storm and Idaho Highway 87 also closed.   12 Semi drivers became stranded at the US 20 and Idaho 87 intersection for multiple days.   Fremont County Schools closed for 4 consecutive days due to road conditions as well as road closures from the 25th through the 28th.

Winter Storm in WOOD RIVER FOOTHILLS, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 26-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Through the 26th, the COOP observer at Picabo recorded 10 inches of snow and the COOP observer at Bellevue recorded 18.2 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in SAWTOOTH-STANLEY BASIN, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A strong Pacific storm system enabled an atmospheric river event to perpetuate for several days and bring extremely heavy snow to the Sawtooth mountain region and the Stanley Basin.   The Stanley COOP observer recorded 29 inches of snow with the system while the Vienna Mine SNOTEL in the mountains recorded 79 inches.   For a time on the 26th all roads leading into and out of Smiley Creek and Stanley were closed due to a combination of avalanches in the area and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in SHOSHONE-LAVA BEDS, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 05:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snow and blowing snow in the northern part of the zone caused US Highway 20 to close from Carey east through Arco for several days during the extended winter storm.

Winter Storm in SUN VALLEY REGION, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow fell for several days in Sun Valley and the surrounding mountains.   An avalanche south of Galena Summit closed highway 75 for several hours on the 26th.   The COOP observer at the Ketchum Ranger Station recorded 26 inches of snow with the storm.   SNOTEL amounts were:  Chocolate Gulch 23 inches, Dollarhide Summit 50 inches, Galena 40 inches, Galena Summit 35 inches, Hyndman 41 inches, and Lost Wood Divide 65 inches.

Winter Storm in BEAR RIVER RANGE, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 18:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

SNOTEL amounts were 9 inches at Emigrant Summit and 11 inches at Franklin Basin.

Flood in MINIDOKA, IDAHO
From 25-FEB-19 08:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: RUPERT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Warm temperatures and rain associated with a long lasting atmospheric river led to extensive sheet flooding in Minidoka County.  Several roads were closed in the Rupert and Paul areas with one gravel road washed away.

Avalanche in SUN VALLEY REGION, IDAHO
From 25-FEB-19 22:30:00 to 25-FEB-19 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A residence between Ketchum and Hailey was hit by an avalanche at 1056 PM MST on the 25th.  The home sustained moderate damage and the debris temporarily halted the flow of the Big Wood River.

Avalanche in SUN VALLEY REGION, IDAHO
From 26-FEB-19 10:00:00 to 26-FEB-19 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

An avalanche south of Galena Summit closed Highway 75 from Galena Summit north through Stanley for several hours.

Winter Storm in BEAVERHEAD-LEMHI HIGHLANDS, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 17:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Interstate 15 was closed from Dubois to the Montana state line on the 25th through the 26th.  Not many reports of snow amounts were received.  The Dubois COOP observer reported 2.5 inches but amounts were much heavier northbound on interstate 15.

Winter Storm in LOST RIVER RANGE, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

Extremely heavy snow fell in the Lost Rivers with the following SNOTEL amounts:  Hilts Creek 33 inches, Meadow Lake 49 inches and Moonshine 20 inches.

Winter Storm in FRANK CHURCH WILDERNESS, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

An atmospheric river event brought incredibly heavy snow to the Frank Church Wilderness.   Although a data sparse region, the Mill Creek Summit SNOTEL site recorded 46.5 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in LOST RIVER VALLEYS, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snow and wind caused extremely hazardous travel with US Highway 20 from Carey to Arco closed for several day.   Butte County schools were closed on the 25th due to road conditions.

Winter Storm in LOWER SNAKE RIVER PLAIN, IDAHO
From 25-FEB-19 01:00:00 to 25-FEB-19 10:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Tribal Official

A Fort Hall tribal government building roof collapsed at 3 am on the 25th.   During the month of rapid warm up and cool downs with intermittent heavy snow was thought to be a factor in the collapse.  Fortunately no one was in the building at the time of the collapse.  Blackfoot and Snake River Schools both closed on the 25th due to expected hazardous travel.

Winter Storm in BLACKFOOT MOUNTAINS, IDAHO
From 23-FEB-19 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-19 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Snow and high winds created extensive hazardous travel and Idaho Highway 34 was closed from Soda Springs to the Wyoming border on the 25th and 26th.  The Bone COOP observer reported 7 inches of snow from the 23rd through the 25th and the Sheep Mountain SNOTEL site recorded 17.5 inches.  The Soda Springs, Grace and North Gem schools were closed on the 25th due to hazardous travel conditions.