Winter in Idaho is nationally known as being frigid. We get a lot of snow in Idaho, and we generally know how to deal with it pretty well. However, the Gem State has seen its fair share of crazy winters. In fact, some of the winter storms in Idaho have proven to be utterly catastrophic for our towns and cities. If you were in Idaho when any of these storms occurred, it’s very likely that you remember them well. How many can you recall?

1. Northern Idaho Ice Storm (1961)
Ben Christenson/Flickr
The state was just getting ready to ring in the year 1961 when a three-day ice storm hit northern Idaho with incredible force. The storm brought freezing rain, dense fog, and sub-freezing temperatures. The affected area encompassed all the way from Grangeville to the Canadian border. The storm also set a national record for ice accumulation, with a whopping eight inches in some places. Damages to trees, buildings, and power outages were widespread across this region as a result of the powerful storm.
2. North Star Avalanche in Hailey (1917)
Community Library/Tumblr
The avalanche that occurred near Hailey in February 1917 is one of the most tragic historical events that happened in Idaho. It was called the North Star Mine Disaster. It resulted in the deaths of 15 miners, plus another 17 that were injured. All in all, the avalanche traveled for more than a mile. Power lines, a bunkhouse, and the orehouse were all destroyed in its wake. However, the avalanche was not the end of it. Following the disaster was three consecutive days of heavy snowfall - the heaviest Hailey had ever seen.

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3. The Great Winter of 1949
brett Vachon/Flickr
The heavy snowfall that occurred in 1948-1949 is probably the most well known of all the winter storms in Idaho history. This storm has gone down as one of the most brutal and deadliest storms we've ever seen. The result of a particularly aggressive cold snap, the storm completely shut down the entire southern region of Idaho. Temperatures constantly were in the negatives. Heavy snowfall plagued the state for six weeks, resulting in massive amounts of damage. Idahoans who experienced the storm firsthand most definitely remember it. Thankfully, winter in Idaho may be bad, but we haven't seen anything like this since!
4. Sandpoint Blizzard (1968-69)
Paxtons Camera Video Digital/Flickr
The blizzard of '68-'69 was also a six-week storm, but this time, northern Idaho was affected. Sandpoint is no stranger to snow. In fact, people travel to this beautiful town just for the endless recreational opportunities that the snow provides. However, the storm of 1968 was different. The town was caught completely off guard. They experienced constant frigid temperatures and 82 inches of snow. It was almost impossible to travel anywhere due to the 12-foot drifts in town.
5. Snowpocalypse (2016-17)
National Guard/Flickr
Of course, the record-breaking winter of 2016-2017 deserves to be mentioned! As a result of the La Nina pattern, much of southwest Idaho was slammed with heavy snowfall for months. These southwestern towns were not even remotely prepared for the snow that relentlessly piled down on them. Roads were shut down, stores sold out of snow shovels, and many people couldn't even dig their cars out of their driveways. That winter went down in the top 10 snowiest winters southern Idaho has ever experienced. We won't be forgetting it any time soon!

What other big winter storms in Idaho do you remember? Do you remember any of these 5 Horrifying Disasters That Happened In Idaho?

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Historical Events That Have Happened In Idaho

Lisa Sammons | October 01, 2021

What are some of the worst natural disasters in Idaho?

Idaho has had its fair share of natural disasters. The Borah Quake in 1983 was one of the century's strongest American earthquakes. Over $2.5 million in damages occurred, and two people died. Most earthquakes result in moving of land plates from side to side. Oddly, this one moved up and down. This meant that after the quake subsided, the tallest peak in Idaho was now a few inches taller than before, and the valley below it was even lower  than it had been! In 1985, we were host to a horrific plague of grasshoppers that looked like something out of a nightmare. Four counties in Idaho were declared disaster areas by the federal government due to the extensive damage the bugs caused.

What are some fun facts about Idaho?

Did you know we're bigger than all of New England (six whole states) put together? We've got 4.7 million acres of wilderness, so if you're a nature lover, this might be the spot for you. Check out this list of random tidbits about Idaho that might be fun to pull out at your next party.

What are some major events in Idaho?

One of the biggest historical events in Idaho happened before we were even a state. In 1805, Lewis and Clark entered Idaho near Lemhi Pass. (We didn't become a state until 1890, the 43rd state to do so.) Idaho has a vast and interesting history that many don't know about. We were extensively involved in the gold rush of the 1800s.

 

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