With latest storm, Boise surpasses all-time record for snowfall so far this season
Heavy snow flurries seemingly timed for the morning commute caused various slide-offs and crashes throughout the Boise area and beyond Monday, but the National Weather Service reports this latest bout with snow will end before the evening commute.
With an additional 3 inches by Monday afternoon, Boise claimed the No. 1 spot for snow by this date in any year since the NWS started keeping records, meteorologist Dave Groenert.
The extra inches that fell Monday put the year-to-date snowfall total at 35.5 inches, ahead of the 35.1 inches that fell between Oct. 1 and Jan. 23 in the winter of 1985-1986.
And if you’re only measuring December and January snowfall, Padian said, this year was already No. 1. The Treasure Valley received only trace amounts of snow, nothing measurable, in November. The 1983-84 and 1985-86 seasons each started piling up measurable snow in November, she said.
[Story: As Boise police car slides down icy hill, firefighter pulls fall victim out of its path]
By 12:30 p.m. Monday, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office had responded to 77 crashes — including three involving injuries — 24 slide-offs, 19 stalled or stuck vehicles and seven hit-and-runs. A couple of hours earlier, ACSO advised of poor road conditions and suggested taking extra time and patience.
All Ada Co. roads are all snow-covered and slick this a.m. Please give yourself extra time and pack extra patience if you have to drive
— Ada County Sheriff (@AdaCoSheriff) January 23, 2017
Idaho State Police also reported slick conditions and traffic dangers, including three crashes on eastbound Interstate 84 near 10 Mile Road around 6 a.m., before snow hit that area.
Snow is causing slick conditions this morning & may continue throughout the day. Please slow down & plan extra time if you have to travel
— Idaho State Police- (@ISPCVS) January 23, 2017
The current storm is expected to bring 2 to 3 inches to the Boise area, with more to the east, including Mountain Home and the Magic Valley.
Snowfall will be lighter in Canyon County and other areas to the west, the National Weather Service reports. Those areas have taken perhaps the worst battering this winter, particularly the area around Payette, Weiser and Ontario.
Gov. Butch Otter declared a disaster in Washington County Monday due to the past couple of weeks of snow.
An NWS weather advisory for the Treasure Valley was issued about 8:30 a.m., adding to an earlier advisory for the Magic Valley and other areas east and south of Boise.
Closures and cancellations
Afternoon kindergarten classes were optional in Boise School District, though the district said classes would still be held. Find more BSD closures here.
Boise Community Ed tweeted that all its classes were cancelled for Monday.
This story was originally published January 23, 2017 at 9:19 AM with the headline "With latest storm, Boise surpasses all-time record for snowfall so far this season."