Winter storm intensifies, brings two inches of snow per hour
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — As the winter storm we have been expecting over the last few days moves through the Treasure Valley, the National Weather Service (NWS) updated its forecast, warning the heaviest precipitation of the storm will occur around 1 a.m. MST. Snow accumulation totals are expected to exceed initial expectations by two to three inches.
As of 9 p.m., 4.6 inches of snowfall has been recorded at the Boise Airport, and at least one United Airlines Flight into Boise from Denver, Colorado, has been canceled, along with many other flights delayed.
The NWS estimates snow is falling across the Treasure Valley at two inches per hour.
Despite the storm, most roads remain open across Southern Idaho and Eastern Oregon. The NWS reports current visibility across Southern Idaho is limited to a quarter to half a mile, adding that any form of travel is not advised.
In Boise, the snowfall may have contributed to a small and localized power outage in Nampa, Idaho, affecting 15 homes. Idaho Power was able to restore power by 9 p.m. this evening.
"Natural gas transmission lines that serve Idaho Power and other utilities across the region are experiencing some issues," Idaho Power wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "This difficulty, along with the impacts from the current winter storm, means it's important you are prepared for potential outages."
Idaho State Highway 21 between Idaho City and Lowman is closed for the time being as crews remove snow accumulation from the road.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) also announced Saturday evening that a fifth snowplow was hit on Idaho roads, taking it out of operation for now.
"A semi rear-ended our plow on I-84 SE of Mountain Home," ITD wrote on X this evening. "Please keep your eyes on the road and drive for the weather conditions." This is the fifth snowplow damaged statewide this winter.
The NWS has issued a Winter Storm Advisory (listed below) for the Lower and Upper Treasure Valley, which will remain through 5 a.m. on Sunday. Six to 10 inches of total snow accumulation is expected.
Winter Storm Advisory's mean significant snowfall, accumulation and high winds are anticipated to gust up to 30 miles per hour.
In the mountains, the NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory through 5 a.m. on Sunday, with anticipated snow accumulation of four to eight inches. As part of their advisory, the NWS noted travelers in the West Central and Boise Mountains should expect slippery roads for the next 24 hours.
If you are traveling along the I-84W corridor, the NWS issued a warning saying significant windchills are anticipated, with those chills bringing winds as cold as negative 14 degrees.
Significant winter conditions, paired with the fluidity of the situation, make travel across Southern Idaho and Eastern Oregon inadvisable over the next 24 hours.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has issued a warning instructing travelers to avoid travel across the state but also noted particularly hazardous conditions in the Columbia River Gorge and Cascade Locks area.
"Challenging and rapidly changing weather conditions are happening now in every corner of Oregon. Avoid traveling if you can," The Oregon Department of Transportation wrote in a press release this afternoon. "The Columbia River Gorge around Cascade Locks is experiencing very low visibility with blowing snow. Avoid this area if you can."
Cold temperatures associated with this arctic front will move in during the early part of next week and bring freezing temperatures sure to create icy and slippery conditions.
CBS2 will continue to update you throughout the weekend as these conditions change.
For a detailed analysis of current weather events, check the NWS warnings listed below:
_________________________________________________________________________
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Boise ID
208 PM MST Sat Jan 13 2024
IDZ012-014-ORZ064-140515-
/O.CON.KBOI.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-240114T1200Z/
Lower Treasure Valley ID-Upper Treasure Valley-
Oregon Lower Treasure Valley-
208 PM MST Sat Jan 13 2024
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST SUNDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of 8 to 12
inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph this evening.
* WHERE...In Idaho, Lower Treasure Valley ID and Upper Treasure
Valley zones. In Oregon, Oregon Lower Treasure Valley zone.
* WHEN...Until 5 AM MST Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas
of blowing snow this evening could significantly reduce
visibility.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Those with travel plans this weekend
should pay close attention to the forecast and consider not
traveling if possible.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.
The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
_________________________________________________________________________
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Boise ID
208 PM MST Sat Jan 13 2024
IDZ011-013-028-140515-
/O.CON.KBOI.WW.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-240114T1200Z/
West Central Mountains-Boise Mountains-Camas Prairie-
208 PM MST Sat Jan 13 2024
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM MST
SUNDAY...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8
inches, except up to a foot in the Boise Mountains.
* WHERE...West Central Mountains, Boise Mountains and Camas
Prairie zones.
* WHEN...From 2 PM this afternoon to 5 AM MST Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Slow down and use caution while traveling.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlww8inq56qXajBsL7MZqCnrJWjwKqyyJ6qZpqinruov4xrZKieXai7sMOMqZyrZZikwrM%3D