Coeur d'Alene Press Newspaper | CDAPress.com

Local and National News - Kootenai County, Idaho

Record snow blankets North Idaho

Posted: Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 - 10:29:16 pm PST
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By SEAN GARMIRE
Staff writer 

Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Lakeland, Kootenai schools all cancel classes today

COEUR d'ALENE -- Barely freezing temperatures and a record-breaking storm system covered the Idaho Panhandle with heavy, wet snow Saturday and Sunday.

The wet snow mixed with ice covering roads, which created extremely dangerous driving conditions.

The Idaho State Police warned drivers Sunday to drive only in emergency situations.

Emergency personnel responded over the weekend to numerous vehicle slide-offs and crashes, ISP reported.

The Montana Highway Patrol advised drivers to avoid traveling on Interstate 90 over Lookout Pass if at all possible.

Road conditions were expected to worsen over Sunday night, prompting Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Lakeland and Kootenai school districts to close Monday.

The National Weather Service in Spokane issued a hazardous weather outlook for the weekend, reporting the winter storm pattern would continue through the work week, bringing another round of snow and below-freezing temperatures.

Climatologist Cliff Harris said another front of arctic air could freeze wet snow on roadways causing major problems for drivers.

"It's going to refreeze tonight and get colder through the week.

"It's going to be a nightmare," Harris said of driving conditions. "If you don't have to be on the roads, don't be on the roads."

Harris said the storm that moved into the area Saturday night dropped enough snow between noon Saturday and Sunday morning to position it as the third largest storm since 1895, both in terms of amount of snowfall and duration of the storm.

By Sunday night, the storm had dropped snow for 27 hours without stopping, he said.

Harris, who measures snow accumulation every four hours, 24 hours a day during a snow storm, said the front had dropped a total of nearly 20 inches by Sunday evening, bringing the total snow accumulation for the season to over 100 inches.

While a series of thaws have reduced the total accumulation at lower elevations and near Lake Coeur d'Alene, snowpack has continued to pile up at higher elevations. That pad of wet snow accumulating on rooftops could be hazardous for homeowners.

Harris advised homeowners, in areas where snow has piled more than three feet, to have snow removed from their roofs in order to avoid damage.


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Dennis wrote on Apr 30, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Wow you people took a story about snow and turned it into a hate thread. It's the UNITED STATES people ONE NATION remember. We don't have closed borders between each state. Don't get me wrong i dislike people. But not for were they are from. With population growth it's only going to get worse. So we will have to live with it. As for the snow it comes it go's. Another thing we will have to live with. I was just looking for the snow pack amount. When i found this. Also i lived in California for 2 years Rohnert Park. Now i live in Post Falls. I'm From Oregon originally. So now both parties can hate the guy from Oregon. I hope it brings you closer together. "

fun gal wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:31 PM:

" I was raised in So Cal and back in the 60's everyone said California was like a country of it's own. Why is everyone so shocked by their behavior. They are like another country! "

to Mahiún wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:17 PM:

" What possible connection is there between the first part of that sentence and the last part? "

-- there is no connection, it's just the same old tired screed from the same old people with the same old ideas. Extinct and they're not even aware of it. "

Mahiún wrote on Apr 2, 2008 3:37 PM:

" The schools are overcrowded mostly mexican non-english speaking and the literacy level is very poor...but God bless the homosexual!
You lost me on that one, Lisa. What possible connection is there between the first part of that sentence and the last part? "

to Lisa wrote on Apr 2, 2008 10:50 AM:

" thank you for putting this intelligently. A lot of people see a problem with this. Unfortunately they don't put it as eloquently as you and wind up coming off as jerks. I am NOT from CA but I did my undergraduate work down there and then spent many years on the east coast. I can't put my finger on it. Its not just the number of people because I didn't get that same vibe in Boston or New York. Is it just plain flat out greed coupled with liberalness? Maybe. Ever hear the eagles song "the last resort"? It was written primarily about soCal. People will say well, you come from somewhere else..blah blah blah. I don't know that that is the point. Its not about native vs nonnative.Its about a mass influx of people from one region of the country that has been spoiled and ruined by carelessness and greed and now given time, the same will happen here. SoCal USED to be the most ideal place to live. the beach and the mountains in one day. well...all the people moving in and greeding it up...look what happened. I do hope this winter slows down the influx. Or at least limits it to people who genuinely are here for the right reasons, not people looking for the "last best place" "

lisa whytock wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:48 AM:

" I came in on this late.
We just moved from California in Januay of this year and we love it here. We are not Californians just had a business down there for awhile knowing the the sucker born every day lives and spends in Califonia. Now we are no longer in business we moved back to the north. I have never been as leary of a group of people as I am of people from California. They are the biggest complainers of the enviroment and the first to kill it with their overroduction of it. Now they are coming up here to do the same thing after almost destroying CA. I think it amazing that some person would make a snide remark about being unedcated here in Idaho. The schools are overcrowded mostly mexican non-english speaking and the literacy level is very poor...but God bless the homosexual! Californians are Idahos' "Hurricane Katrina". We were there for 5 years and coulden't get out fast enough.
"

to to to Mrs. H/subaru driver wrote on Feb 1, 2008 10:06 AM:

" I wrote in a comment last night, but it seems to have not been printed.

Why the negativity??

Just an FYI- Im in my early twenties and look nothing like this "old bat" you speak of..

I simply come from a generation that still respects people, and cant comprehend why you are so dang rude!
Why did jump in between my lovely conversation with Mrs. H anyways? Middle Child Syndrom??

but at least we know whom on this post has class and who doesnt.. I really hope you can find an "old bat" to make you happy one day. "

fun gal wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:40 PM:

" TO to to MrsH: Watch you mouth young man!! "

to to Mrs H wrote on Jan 31, 2008 4:00 PM:

" Oh just shut up you old bat. "

to MrsH: wrote on Jan 31, 2008 3:08 PM:

" Exactly!
Why do people have to be so grumpy.. its like people only come on here to be rude! "

MrsH wrote on Jan 31, 2008 2:16 PM:

" See.....why must people exaggerate so? It has never cost me 75.00 to fill up! The most I paid was 63.50 once! I do have to go to the outer areas so it works well for me. I guess I don't understand why people must be so snide. I was having a nice conversation with a very polite Subaru owner and then someone had to get snide! Why? My only point was that sometimes a bigger SUV works well. I feel sorry for those of you that are so negative all the time! I can't imagine being so darn grumpy all the time! "

lucky neighbor! wrote on Jan 31, 2008 12:25 PM:

" I just have to say thank you to all of you with snowblowers who are kind enough to help their nighbors with sidewalks and driveways!!

My boyfriend works 60+ hours a week and the last thing i want for him to do is come home in the dark and have to worry about our driveway. So today, after last nights crazy addition to all of our snow, I bundled up in my little snow outfit to shovel our driveway. And while i was actually making progress, I was very happy and surprised when our neighbor came over to snowblow our driveway, he even went above and beyond and cleared ALL the snow and ice off the driveway with a shovel. What would have taken me an hour+ ended up taking maybe 20 minutes!

So THANK YOU to our neighbor in Cd'A Place, you know who you are.. you and your family will be getting something from us in return!!

and to the rest of you, i hope everybody is just as kind as our neighbor, you have no idea how much that little action helps! "

ha wrote on Jan 31, 2008 10:48 AM:

" lucky you for having that kind of disposable income, especially with that many children and with the economy the way it is!

Congrats "

Ha wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:15 AM:

" My Suburban costs over $100 to fill up! But it gets my wife, six kids, and I where we need to go. "

uh, MrsH wrote on Jan 30, 2008 4:54 PM:

" Your Durango won't go nearly as far due to it's abysmal gas mileage - how do those $75 fill-ups work for ya? "

MrsH wrote on Jan 30, 2008 3:56 PM:

" Oh im certain you're Durango would go further..
lucky for me, i haven't a reason to go into any of those areas! :)

but it gets me to the grocery store, to Sandpoint, and even up the canfield mountain area, and it sure cost a whole heck less..

but if i do ever need to go somewhere with that much snow, im sure a SUV-owner will be the first person i call. "

MrsH wrote on Jan 30, 2008 12:58 PM:

" Subaru driver.....I'm sure it does quite well. I have heard wonderful things about them , however there are some rural areas that a little bit taller vehicle is needed. If this keeps up I would bet my Durango will go more places than your Subaru. "

subaru driver wrote on Jan 30, 2008 9:14 AM:

" No thank you very much i was not the "idiot"
i know how to drive in it so i feel no need to stay home?

were you the idiot driving 15mph on ramsey i passed yesterday on my way to the grocery store?? "

to subaru driver wrote on Jan 29, 2008 3:59 PM:

" were you the idiot that was driving down the mountain from Schwietzer at five miles per hour on Sunday holding everybody else up? If you are to afraid to drive in it STAY HOME! "

to MrsH wrote on Jan 29, 2008 10:14 AM:

" This is the snow ive been waiting for since i moved here 3+ years ago! Im so excited..

however i do have to contradict one thing, i happen to drive a lovely little subaru that gets the gas milage of a car and yet plows through the snow like an SUV!!

Such a happy medium! "

MrsH wrote on Jan 29, 2008 8:56 AM:

" When I was a child we had snow like this quite often. I remember sledding off the roof of the house. My kids have never seen this much snow. Its a joy to watch them enjoy it! Where are all the SUV haters now? My brother happens to be one...but he didn't have a problem w/mine when I took his wife to the store as her car was stuck! "

Golden Mean wrote on Jan 28, 2008 11:13 PM:

" Well, this is the time that you've all been waiting for... Hell has finally frozen over. Who wants to call Al Gore? "

Cali Snowboarder wrote on Jan 28, 2008 7:02 PM:

" Snow is awesome! I have a pass to both Lookout and Schweitzer. Yes, I do have a job and pay taxes, but on the weekends, man lookout! Some you whiners seem to be real jerks, but the majority of the friends I've made are locals and they pretty cool people. Your town even has a couple of really good sushi restaurants, a Vietnamese restaurant and Thai restaruant that is about to open. Who knew? More bad news for you locals. I've convinced my brother and his wife to move up here with their two kids. They visited me and girlfriend over Christmas and loved it. He is a fellow boarder and surfer from LA like me! He has a BSN so he should have no problem finding a job. Now, if I can only convince some of my friends to move up here...:) We are coming by the droves! Thanks for your hospitality Idaho! "

fun gal wrote on Jan 28, 2008 6:40 PM:

" to "TO "oh great" ATTENTION: I believe it's spelled "jeeze" "

CW wrote on Jan 28, 2008 5:52 PM:

" Wow, another ID vs. CA thread. Pathetic, people. (Especially the on the ID side) "

College Student wrote on Jan 28, 2008 5:44 PM:

" We've all forgotten that this story is about a WINTER STORM. I'd never heard 'Idabillies' before. Original. I like it but, please, instead of arguing, maybe help each other out. We're all (somewhat) civil human beings. Drive safe!

P.S. Whoever "oh great" is, please don't ever post something like that again. It was thouroughly depressing to read, well, the parts I actually could. "

TO wrote on Jan 28, 2008 5:29 PM:

" I can spell and drive in the snow you moron!
I can go back to California to.You made that point clear! I have a sugestion for "you" Go To school learn how to spell! Geeze Undereducated.....


Oh great wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:31 AM:

" good snowing newws now mybe the calaforna people that cant even drive in the snow will upen gp back to sonny calaforna! sea there are now pom trees hear! we like the snow but not the calaforna peeople! see wat you are ionfor in idaho haha now yor crying in your hot chocalet wishing for 70 degrees and no snow stay off the roads on acount that you have them big 4x4 and yor in the ditch andf such! see we told ya that you dont like it where we have witer cause were used to it ADS SUCH BUT YOU CANT EVEN DRIVE IN THE SNOW AND SUCH! no pom trees hare no sir! "
"

Palm Tree wrote on Jan 28, 2008 5:12 PM:

" Did I miss something? I believe there is snow in California. We don't all come from Los Angeles. "

TO "Oh great" ATTENTION!! wrote on Jan 28, 2008 5:00 PM:

" I can spell and drive in the snow you moron!
I can go back to California to.You made that point clear! I have a sugestion for "you" Go To school learn how to spell! Geeze Undereducated.....


Oh great wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:31 AM:

" good snowing newws now mybe the calaforna people that cant even drive in the snow will upen gp back to sonny calaforna! sea there are now pom trees hear! we like the snow but not the calaforna peeople! see wat you are ionfor in idaho haha now yor crying in your hot chocalet wishing for 70 degrees and no snow stay off the roads on acount that you have them big 4x4 and yor in the ditch andf such! see we told ya that you dont like it where we have witer cause were used to it ADS SUCH BUT YOU CANT EVEN DRIVE IN THE SNOW AND SUCH! no pom trees hare no sir! "
"

Cali vs Idaho wrote on Jan 28, 2008 3:54 PM:

" who are the dumb hicks?

CA National ave.
Score, Grade 4 Math 230 237
Score, Grade 8 Math 269 278
Score Grade 4 Reading 207 217
Score, Grade 8 Reading 250 260
Idaho
Score, Grade 4 Math 242 237
Score, Grade 8 Math 281 278
Score, Grade 4 Reading 222 217
Score, Grade 8 Reading 264 260

Looks like Idaho kids are smarter than Cali kids and the US average too.
Who would have thunk it?

National Assessment of Educational Progress Source: NAEP "

global warming wrote on Jan 28, 2008 3:37 PM:

" Blame it on the egyptians! I mean now that area is just a big desert, but long ago it was a society in a fertile tropicana, but then they built big cities, and started raising cattle. Yes cattle! and the cattle farted and burped and caused the whole place to turn into a desert! Or maybe the Earth continually changes, getting warmer or colder and no matter how many lights I turn off to save electricity or save the environment, i can not effect the natural cycle of the Earth. You choose. "

Vern wrote on Jan 28, 2008 3:23 PM:

" To Teacher Tom, You may as well give up on trying to educate them on Global Warming. They refuse to get it. They believe pulling out the old "ice age" bit will prove their point. People, Global Warming has been proven by the leading scientists of the world. People much smarter than you or I. Denying it only proves your perverse love affair with fossil fuels. Too bad the ignorant are so damn good at making babies. Doesn't bode well. Rent the movie "Idiocracy" to see what I mean. "

Charlene wrote on Jan 28, 2008 3:15 PM:

" Wow...I am going to just say a prayer for everyone commenting on this site! Even myself! Such contempt for one another! I guess when you can't look another in the eye and you can hide behind words, it enables some to be so unkind and hateful! If we treat others with kindness and respect regardless of status you'd be surprised at the response! Welcome to anyone who wants to live here and and to those who have so graciously paved the path! Calaforna? Idabillies? Hummers vs beater? Am I reading comments for children? or responsible adults? May you all be blessed with a better day for each new one that comes your way! "

DoDo Duh wrote on Jan 28, 2008 2:20 PM:

" Who is this guy Al Gore? Is he a Cali or an Idabilly? "

Snow wrote on Jan 28, 2008 2:01 PM:

" Let it snow! It's what keeps our trees green and water in the pond.

Oh by the way, Teacher Tom and the rest of you who find name calling an acceptable way to communicate...it's sad thats the way you choose to tally up your value.

For the rest of you, I enjoy your humor. "

This is record? wrote on Jan 28, 2008 1:48 PM:

" I've seen more snow in one day in NORCAL than this! This ain't squat! "

Jim D. wrote on Jan 28, 2008 1:48 PM:

" In 1968-69 the winter was pretty much the same the fowling years were warmer. I guess it was global warming back then 30 years ago or maybe it is just a pattern. "

RJ wrote on Jan 28, 2008 1:43 PM:

" Yep a typical Idaho Winter finally, I have a standing offer for anyone from this so called Idabillie to any one from S.Calif. or elsewhere that wants to move;I"ll help load your trucks and even help drive them out of here and even chip in on the gas. "

To Teacher Tom wrote on Jan 28, 2008 1:23 PM:

" Please enlighten us hicks:

The Earth has had two documented ice ages in the past. Both ended as a result of rising temperatures. This before, trains, planes and automobiles (and Al Gore).

So, how did the earth warm back then Einstein? "

Guess what-- wrote on Jan 28, 2008 12:52 PM:

" We like you Idabillies as much as you like us Cali's. The difference is we don’t complain constantly about you idiots nor do we ever loose one second of sleep over you. Now before you write something stupid like "we were here first" or "if you don’t like us why don’t you go home". You must realize that we didn’t move here to be in the company of Idabillies, we moved hear in spite you Idabillies. We are here and not going anywhere. You can’t stop the growth, you can’t stop the influx of “out of starters” so why b@#ch and moan about it? The way I figure it is that most of you morons will be gone in 10 years anyway. Have a great day. "

Ha wrote on Jan 28, 2008 12:25 PM:

" Idabillies are stupid! "

Teacher Tom wrote on Jan 28, 2008 12:21 PM:

" You people who are seeing the snow as a reason for skepticism about global warming need to get yourself an education. Relative warmth associated with low pressure is the REASON it snows, you idiots. Ever wonder why we have comparatively LITTLE, if any, snow when it's zero? Such temps are associated, you morons, with HIGH pressure during which precipitation is highly unlikely. There is a great deal of snow (though progressively less each year thanks to warming) at the poles because snow that fell thousands of years ago hasn't melted (again until recently). What I'd like to know is the REASON for your skepticism: ignorance is my guess but perhaps you work for an oil company or some other polluter. Global warming, you dips, could mean MORE big storms like the present. Next thing you know you'll be telling us the earth is 6000 years old and the fossil record is just a clever ruse of God or the devil. You're entitled to your opinion just like you are entitled to vote for the kind of cretins we have representing us in the Idaho congressional delegation. I'll bet you even voted Bush/Cheney! "

Native Guy wrote on Jan 28, 2008 12:18 PM:

"
I see cali's starting to pack up their cars.They've had enough.I'm getting good deals on stuff they're trying to get rid of.I figure it's a win-win for me,they leave and I get great deals! "

Wow wrote on Jan 28, 2008 12:16 PM:

" Hey Idabillies did you stop to think that "This is Crazy" is actually just another Idabilly try to incite you’re typical ignorant hate filled Anti-Californian posts? "

to Oh Great wrote on Jan 28, 2008 12:05 PM:

" They can spell in California!! "

cheshire cat wrote on Jan 28, 2008 11:46 AM:

" Global Warming - Typical North Idaho residents that can't look beyond their nose at what is going in globally with the weather. Yea, its snowing in CDA, gloabal warming does not exist! And for me moving back to CA, were I left gangs, earthquakes, smog, traffic etc over a little snow? Yea, right. I will be in my hummer tailgaiting your beater of a car. "

This is crazy wrote on Jan 28, 2008 11:45 AM:

" Due to the out pouring of love and affection from you lovely natives, I have decided to stay!


Actually, you have been trolled, but the best answer came from the person that offered to plow my driveway. That was the best! "

wait a minute wrote on Jan 28, 2008 11:04 AM:

" What record did it break? You lead with the startling revelation that it was a record breaking storm and then no money shot. "

College Student wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:52 AM:

" Good, move back to california, you guys are the reason for all the accidents in the winter because you don't know how to drive. Enjoy the beauty that nature has to offer "

to S wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:40 AM:

" You need to have a city councilman living on your street.

If you don't, it su cks to be you. :) "

Carol Clemons wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:32 AM:

" Wondering...Where have the 100 inches accumulated? Where does Harris measure the snow? Is this in the mountains or right in CDA? "

Oh great wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:31 AM:

" good snowing newws now mybe the calaforna people that cant even drive in the snow will upen gp back to sonny calaforna! sea there are now pom trees hear! we like the snow but not the calaforna peeople! see wat you are ionfor in idaho haha now yor crying in your hot chocalet wishing for 70 degrees and no snow stay off the roads on acount that you have them big 4x4 and yor in the ditch andf such! see we told ya that you dont like it where we have witer cause were used to it ADS SUCH BUT YOU CANT EVEN DRIVE IN THE SNOW AND SUCH! no pom trees hare no sir! "

Mahiún wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:23 AM:

" "Sunny" California??!!? Have you seen what they've been dealing with, lately?! "

to this is crazy wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:16 AM:

" Good. And take your friends too. "

Dewey wrote on Jan 28, 2008 9:32 AM:

" I hope "this is crazy" is telling the truth "

NW Girl wrote on Jan 28, 2008 9:21 AM:

" Hmmmm.....where are all the global warming band wagon drivers during this arctic blast and record snow fall? "

MS wrote on Jan 28, 2008 9:19 AM:

" Why is it crazy that Northern Idaho is getting snow?

I say bring it on, hopefully it weeds out more people that can't drive and constantly complain about the beauty of nature. "

Native wrote on Jan 28, 2008 9:15 AM:

" Welcome to Idaho... This is a very wet winter something that we needed. We need to have 10 feet here in town. So that all our mountains get the snow pack we need for the water we need. We need 3 or four yrs of good snow pack to make up for all the dry yrs we have had. So to all of you that dont mind snow think SNOW!!!!!

"

B wrote on Jan 28, 2008 9:14 AM:

" Please do. "

Sarah wrote on Jan 28, 2008 9:04 AM:

" Yeah!......Bye! Bye! "

born and raised wrote on Jan 28, 2008 8:57 AM:

" YESS!!! I see that 'this is crazy' is moving back to CA.

You know, this winter is what us locals have been hoping for for YEARS. Hoping it would send all of you tailgating, rude, and whiny people that are ruining our beautiful town, home. "

N Idaho Native wrote on Jan 28, 2008 8:51 AM:

" My cardboard box is freeeezing! "

John wrote on Jan 28, 2008 8:42 AM:

" Al Gore is right?

Global what?

No doubt. "

anonymous wrote on Jan 28, 2008 8:36 AM:

" That's it,I can't even walk to my car.My body aches and I need warmer weather. "

To: This is crazy wrote on Jan 28, 2008 8:13 AM:

" I'll plow your drive so you can get the U-Haul in. "

dont u know wrote on Jan 28, 2008 8:03 AM:

" Don't you know that people in NI only have gov jobs and work from 9-5, have every concievable excuse for a holiday off and do not work weekends? What I am trying to say is, the city's "elected officials" in NI only care if THEY can get out of their driveways! They could care less about YOU the "working class" that work swing, graveyard and weekends! After all this IS a "RIGHT TO WORK" state. "

This is crazy wrote on Jan 28, 2008 7:45 AM:

" I am moving back to sunny CA.

See ya! "

S wrote on Jan 28, 2008 5:11 AM:

" Where are the plows? Do they not work weekends in PF? "

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