Record snowfall in Boise keeps Treasure Valley schools closed, side roads daunting
As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service measured a record 15 inches on the ground at the NWS office at the Boise Airport, up from 7 inches before the latest wave of snowstorms rolled in.
The previous snow depth record was 13 inches (Dec. 30, 1983 and Dec. 2, 1985). And yes, that’s the record for total snowfall sitting on the ground, any day of the year.
In case you’re wondering how long Boise’s ground has been snow-covered this year, NWS meteorologist Jeanne Allen said there’s been steady “measurable snow depth” since Dec. 15.
Another record: The 6.5 inches of new snow on Wednesday is the most ever recorded on Jan. 4, surpassing the previous high of 3.2 inches, set in 1951. And it ranks 15th among the heaviest one-day snowfalls recorded in this area since 1892, the National Weather Service reports.
Don’t expect that daunting snowcover to melt until Sunday, and it’s possible the snow total will go up a little on Saturday, when a new weather system moves in.
Once the snow stops falling, it’s going to get cold. Very cold.
The temperature in Boise could reach -4 degrees on Friday and the outlying areas could get as cold as -10 degrees, according to Korri Anderson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boise. The valleys could range from -10 to -20 degrees. The predicted low in Fairfield on Friday is -28.
SCHOOL AND OTHER CLOSURES FOR THURSDAY
▪ All Ada Community Library location are closed
▪ Ballet Idaho Academy
▪ Bishop Kelly High
▪ Boise School District
▪ College of Western Idaho
▪ Emmett School District
▪ Falcon Ridge Charter
▪ Garden City Public Library
▪ Gem Prep Nampa
▪ Homedale School District
▪ Hope Lutheran Preschool
▪ Boise Basin School District (Idaho City)
▪ Idaho State University, Meridian Health Science Center
▪ Kuna School District
▪ Middleton School District
▪ Nampa Public Library
▪ Nampa School District
▪ Northwest Nazarene University
▪ Notus School District
▪ Parma School District
▪ Payette School District
▪ Riverstone International
▪ Rose Hill Montessori
▪ Sage International School
▪ Tatertots Academy
▪ Turner Center
▪ University of Idaho Boise campus
▪ Vallivue School District
▪ Village Charter School
▪ West Ada School District
▪ Wilder School District
Send your closures to newsroom@idahostatesman.com.
THURSDAY’S PREP SPORTS CANCELLATIONS
Note: Decisions on high school sporting events are made independently from school closures.
Girls basketball: Nampa at Rocky Mountain; Capital at Eagle; New Plymouth at Marsing
Boys basketball: Caldwell at Skyview
CRASH AND TRANSPORT REPORT
Valley Ride announced Thursday morning it has implemented its emergency snow “limited service plan” for its bus service to provide “basic regional connectivity.” Check the Valley Ride website for updates.
As of 9:20 p.m. Wednesday, its final crash report of the day, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office had tallied 105 slide-offs, 124 vehicles stalled or stuck in the snow, and 73 crashes, nine of which had injuries reported. A truck driver carrying bags of salt was cited for reckless driving when his semi overturned on I-84 Wednesday afternoon, clogging traffic.
On Thursday morning, agencies reported continued slick roads but fewer crashes and traffic problems. At about 9:20 a.m. Ada County dispatchers had tallied 12 slideoffs, 34 stalled or stuck vehicles and 6 crashes, none involving injuries.
Road conditions
▪ Check the Ada County Highway District cameras for current conditions.
▪ Check here for statewide road conditions.
HIGHWAY ROUTE CONDITIONS
The Oregon Department of Transportation closed I-84 eastbound and westbound between Pendleton (Exit 216) and Ontario (Exit 374) due to multiple crashes and slide-offs for much of Wednesday, and reopened westbound lanes at 10 p.m. By Thursday morning the eastbound lanes were open but with a weather warnings. Anyone heading into eastern Oregon on I-84 is required to carry chains and advised to check first for future closures or worsening conditions. Idahoans can call 503-588-2941 or go online to tripchek.
Here are the closures, all with reported blowing and drifting snow, as of 7:50 a.m. Thursday from the Idaho Transportation Department. Check online for updated information.:
▪ US 26 is closed in both directions between US 20 (5 miles west of Atomic City) and Moreland Road (3 miles west of Blackfoot)
▪ ID 38 is closed between Sand Ridge Road; Pocatello Valley Road and The East Holbrook City Limits (5 to 21 miles west of Malad City)
▪ ID 22 is closed between ID 28 (29 miles west of Dubois) and Old Highway 91 (near Dubois)
WONDERING ABOUT SNOWPLOWS IN YOUR AREA?
The Ada County Highway District has already spent more money on snow removal this season than the agency expected to budget for the entire winter. Highway district leaders just allocated an additional $500,000 for de-icing chemicals and salt. Officials said last week that the agency can’t make residential streets a priority, but after the new snow the agency now hopes to tackle priority school bus routes by Friday afternoon — and those could include some residential streets.
SNOW COULD DAMAGE YOUR ROOF
Continuing snowstorms and freezing temperatures over the past several weeks in the Treasure Valley have caused stress to roofs above attics with inadequate insulation or lacking proper ventilation.
METRO MEALS ON WHEELS NOT DELIVERING THURSDAY
Metro Meals on Wheels won’t be making home visits Thursday due to dangerous road conditions.
“We’ve never done this,” said Grant Jones, director of the group. “We just feel the safety of our employees and volunteers is paramount.”
The group delivers more than 900 meals each week day in Ada County. They will resume delivery of hot meals on Friday. As always on Friday, they will also deliver about 700 frozen meals for weekend consumption.
Jones said staff and volunteers had some trouble delivering on Wednesday but had no accidents or falls. Many who received the meals were extremely thankful, he said, and they urged those making the deliveries to consider taking Thursday off due to the inclement weather.
Metro Meals on Wheels has 16 staff and 420 volunteers. Contact Jones at 724-3458, or e-mail, gjones@metromealsonwheels.net
TRASH AND RECYCLING DELAY
Trucks for Republic Services may be slowed or delayed in their collection, according to the Boise Public Works Department.
If trash and/or recycling is not collected as scheduled, customers are asked to leave their carts out for service.
Republic Services plans to work Saturday to ensure all trash and recycling are collected this week despite the challenging road conditions.
STATESMAN DELIVERY MAY BE DELAYED
Because of the heavy snowfall and poor road conditions, Idaho Statesman delivery will likely be delayed in some areas Thursday.
Because of unplowed roads, the newspaper may be delivered to driveways on some routes rather than the normal delivery location. The carriers cannot reach newspaper tubes in some cases so papers might be in the driveway.
This story was originally published January 4, 2017 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Record snowfall in Boise keeps Treasure Valley schools closed, side roads daunting."