It Was So Cold In Idaho In 1949, Temperatures Stayed Below Freezing For Weeks
Winters in Idaho are cold, snowy, and icy. But, very few compare to the winter of 1948-1949. This winter will go down in the history books as one of the snowiest and coldest winters in Idaho and if you lived through it, you will remember it. This winter brought trials, worry, death, and destruction, and unfortunately, it was no short storm.
On January 25, 1949, for example, Pocatello saw temperatures as low as -31 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow also continued to fall — and to fall. In some areas, snow drifts as high as 20 feet tall were reported. With the combination of heavy snow, high winds, and freezing temperatures, snowplows were having a difficult time clearing roadways, livestock were freezing, and Idahoans were finding themselves stuck in their homes. It became so bad that food and other supplies had to be dropped into communities by airplane.
Many individuals struggled with few supplies, schools were closed for days, large amounts of livestock were killed, power was difficult to maintain, and more. Then, in the spring, once the snow began to melt in the mountains, communities had to brace themselves once again as the potential for flooding was extremely high.
What is the worst winter you have lived through in Idaho? Let us know in the comments! And, if you want to learn about several other winter storms in Idaho that will go down in the history books, check out our list of five winter storms that are impossible to forget.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.