Idaho, with its tumultuous geology, diverse weather regions, and abundant scenic beauty is no stranger to the darker forces of nature and nor the impacts of its human residents. In 1910, the Big Burn ravaged Northern Idaho, the product of a grueling summer storm. In 1976, the Teton Dam collapsed, devastating the eastern part of the state. But Idaho’s storm of the century created a winter disaster that was just as unexpected and deadly, the most intense seen since the 1800s, and far more brutal than any other weather-related event seen since. In 1949 – a mere two generations ago – an unprecedented cold snap tore through southern Idaho, virtually isolating the southern half of the state for weeks and shutting down the economy for a month. But low temperatures are only part of this chilling story. Do you remember this terrifying winter natural disaster?

Please note… These photos are not from the 1940s, but are meant to represent the scale and impact of the actual storm.

The start of winter in Idaho in 1948 was a test of endurance, but nothing could have prepared the southern part of the state for the monstrous storm that would hit in the new year.
brett Vachon/Flickr
The snow began falling early this year, starting around November. But it wasn't until after the first of the year that the weather drastically turned on the region.
As the snow began to pile up around Christmas, families invested in shovels, canned goods, chains, and rope--just in case. But roads were still open.
chuddlesworth/Flickr
Then, on January 9, the Times News reported that the temperature across the Magic Valley alone plummeted to -18.
Kaarina Dillabough/Flickr
The snow started again...but this time, it didn't stop.
Min Liu/Flickr
Josh Delp/Flickr

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The line of snowplows was constant, pushing snow off the main roads until the buildup was so great that entire cities became barricaded from one another.
Whit Andrews/Flickr
Eventually, the snowfall was so immense that even the plows themselves were stuck. High walls of snow blew shut behind the machines in mere minutes, while hundreds of roads were abandoned when the snowplows no longer could pass through. By the end of the month, the snowfall in the region hit a single-day record of 27 inches. It was one of the biggest historical events that happened in Idaho.
Trains were completely stalled, while food and supplies had to be dropped in by plane.
7th Army Training/Flickr
Thousands of livestock caught pneumonia or were lost in the blizzard, adding up to millions in industry losses.
Jesn Scott Knudson/Flickr
There are dozens of stories of ranchers having to climb down into their barns to feed snow-locked cattle, and using walls of snow to replace buried fences. Without them, the accumulation of snow allowed animals to simply climb over their barricades. But the heartbreaking losses and suffering are difficult to imagine.
An intense wind storm struck at the beginning of February, causing a blinding storm that inhibited resource and rescue efforts, however.
Randi Hausken/Flickr
After over a month with irregular electricity, warmer temperatures caused the mountains of snow to begin to melt. Southern Idaho residents were warned to brace for flooding.
Martin Katerber/Flickr
Thankfully, residents were warned in time to make preparations. Idahoan survival skills and community togetherness made this epic disaster far less than what it could have been. But no one who lived through the Great Winter of 1949 in Idaho has ever forgotten this historical winter weather event.

This storm is arguably one of the worst if not the worst natural disaster in Idaho. While the “Great Winter of 1949” effectively shut down southern Idaho for over six weeks, there were fewer than a dozen casualties. But Idaho wasn’t the only state to be affected – Utah had a record snowfall as well, and the brutal winter swept through most of the US. Sadly, modern photos simply can’t do this disaster justice, and we would love to see yours. Where were you when this mega-storm struck?

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Worst Natural Disaster In Idaho

Melissa M. | January 08, 2022

What are some of the other worst natural disasters in Idaho?

The Great Winter of 1949 isn’t the only winter that wreaked havoc on Idaho. In fact, there have been several other horrific winter storms that some of you may remember. In 1961, there was the Northern Idaho Ice Storm which brought sub-zero temperatures and freezing rain over the course of three days. It caused plenty of damage and power outages to the area. The winter of 1968-1969 brought the Sandpoint Blizzard, a six-week storm that hit Northern Idaho the hardest. You can read about a few additional catastrophic storms in this post. 

What is winter in Idaho like?

As you may have guessed, winters in Idaho are quite cold. The average temperature in December hovers around 30 degrees in Boise which also has an average snowfall of approximately 19 inches. Other parts of the state can see even colder temperatures well below zero. January, of course, is the coldest month across the state with temperatures ranging between -2 degrees to 22 degrees Fahrenheit. Just remember to bundle up when you go outside in Idaho!

What other important historical events happened in Idaho?

Like all states, Idaho has quite a history with numerous events that have contributed to life both locally and nationally. The Idaho Territory was created by Congress in 1863 and encompassed an area about the size of the northeast. In 1882, the Northern Pacific Railroad was completed in the state which was a pivotal point in the railroad industry. You can read some fun facts about Idaho in this post. 

 

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