Idaho
El Niño and snow in the Idaho Panhandle
Many people observed the lack of snow at our beloved ski resorts around the Idaho Panhandle this past fall to early winter and asked, “Where is the snow?” Some might suggest it’s the result of El Niño, but what does that mean? This article describes what El Niño is, weather conditions it often produces, and the effects El Niño may have on our snowpack.
El Niño is part of a phenomenon called ENSO — El Niño Southern Oscillation. To describe ENSO, we’ll have to look south towards the equator and west coast of South America. Along the equator, winds blow from the east. This easterly flow between South America and Australia pushes ocean water to the west, towards southeast Asia and northern Australia. When these winds move water away from the west coast of South America, deep, cold ocean water rises to replace the lost mass of water being pushed to the west in a process called upwelling. When those winds are weak, little amounts of ocean water are being pushed to the west, decreasing the amount of cold water upwelling, and increasing sea surface temperatures; this is an El Niño event. When these winds are strong and move larger amounts of water, it increases the amount of upwelling, thus bringing more deep, cold water to the ocean surface and cooling it down. This scenario is called La Niña. When sea surface temperatures are neither above nor below normal, ENSO conditions are considered neutral.
El Niños and La Niñas alter the meteorological conditions over the Pacific Ocean, and subsequently the weather patterns that affect our region. Under El Niño conditions, wetter storm tracks typically progress towards the southern part of the U.S., and generally results in dry and warm conditions in the Northwest. In La Niña, cooler and wetter systems come from the Gulf of Alaska down across the Northwest states but typically leaves the southwestern U.S. dry.
So how does El Niño affect snowpack in the Idaho Panhandle? El Niño’s typically result in low snowpacks in the Panhandle due to fewer cold storms and warmer-than-normal conditions. The warmer air affects the precipitation type. So instead of snow, rain is often present, especially in lower elevations. 2005 and 2015 are El Niño years similar to the current 2023-2024 winter season. Each had near-record to record-low snowpacks for their winter seasons. It’s important to note, that just because it’s an El Niño winter, it doesn’t mean that’s always the case. There are many instances of winters with significant snow events during an El Niño resulting in near to above-normal snowpack. Such years are 1995, 2003, 2007 and 2009. However, this year we are seeing an even lower snowpack early in the season compared to 2005 and 2015.
In addition to warmer conditions from El Niño, a long, narrow strip of air carrying abundant moisture from the tropics called an atmospheric river passed through in early December. While the storm brought significant precipitation and pushed snowpack to near-normal conditions, the warm, tropical air rushed into the region and quickly transitioned the snow to rain. These conditions melted up to 10 inches of snow at all elevations monitored in the SNOTEL network (automated snow measurement stations) in the Idaho Panhandle. The atmospheric river event coupled with infrequent storms and dry conditions typical of El Niño has resulted in the lowest snowpack on record for most SNOTEL sites in the Idaho Panhandle as of Jan. 1. Even with the extreme cold and frequent storms throughout January, it was still not enough to pull the Idaho Panhandle basins out of near-record to record-low snowpack. These conditions are considered a snow drought and can cause low water supply and reduced streamflow.
Winter is about halfway over, but there is potential for snowpack conditions to improve, however, the snowpack has a tough road to reach near-normal conditions. ENSO is expected to return to neutral conditions from April through June, so El Niño should hit its peak soon. Only time will tell if weather patterns continue to play out to traditional El Niño conditions, potentially causing a record-low snowpack, or if this winter season will improve.
Guest author Cody Brown is a hydrologist with the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The Our Gem Coeur d’Alene Lake Collaborative is a team of committed and passionate professionals working to preserve lake health and protect water quality by promoting community awareness of local water resources through education, outreach and stewardship. Our Gem includes local experts from the University of Idaho — Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission, Kootenai Environmental Alliance, Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce and Connect Kootenai.
Idaho
Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon
There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.
Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.
Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.
Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.
Idaho Costcos
Where to find Costcos in Idaho.
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!
Look at those chicken tenders:
Costco Foodcourt’s New Item
It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts
Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?
Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
Idaho
This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist
You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people. The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams. Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.” One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school. His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus. Some of our early leaders were devout Christians. Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service. They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.
They Mock Good People of Other Faiths
I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention. Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke. She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!” Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people? Or would God prefer a gentler approach? For instance, you could pray for conversions.
Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?
Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument. “We’re all going to be judged,” she said. What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black
A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates. A group of liberal women demonstrated outside. I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational. They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event. If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered. Let me add a caveat. Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple. I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people. Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.
Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists. Do we need to draw them some pictures?
Brad Little Through The Years
Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller
Idaho
Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho
KUNA — A sister-duo is filling baskets with blankets, snacks and handwritten notes to spread some extra love to moms spending Mother’s Day in the hospital with their newborns.
The effort is led by “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” a nonprofit co-founded by sisters Tiffany and Alyssa Higbee. The organization was born from Alyssa’s own experience spending months in the NICU with her firstborn.
Alyssa’s son was initially in the NICU for about two weeks, then was put back in for about 3.5 months. During that time, several holidays passed, making it especially hard as a first-time mom.
“There was people in companies who would bring us stuff and try and cheer up your day, and it really helped, and so when my son was about 6 months old, we decided that it would be best to try and help moms in the NICU somehow,” Alyssa Higbee said.
That inspiration led the sisters to create Mother’s Day gift baskets filled with items to bring comfort and encouragement to moms facing the same journey.
WATCH: Learn more about “Helping Hands for NICU Moms”
Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho
The sisters have a 12-year age gap. Tiffany was fresh out of high school when they started the nonprofit in 2023, which meant she had more time to dedicate to the project. Alyssa noted that because of the age gap, they didn’t get to spend a lot of time together growing up, so the project has brought them closer.
“Hopefully, this can bring some hope that you can get out of it … that NICU period, that scary initial phase, it does get easier,” Alyssa Higbee said.
ALSO READ | Fragile beginnings to bright futures: NICU ‘Wall of Hope’ inspires families with stories of strength
Alyssa’s son, who was born in the NICU at St. Luke’s in Twin Falls, is now 3-years-old and healthy. Tiffany said watching her nephew go through the NICU was hard, but seeing him now — jumping, tackling her, and doing everything a little boy does — makes the work even more meaningful.
“It’s cool to see the difference because I know that some kids don’t make it to where he is when they’re in the NICU, and it’s just cool to see that he did,” Tiffany Higbee said.
This year’s baskets are packed with items donated by nearly 25 local companies — up from just 5 donors in the first year. The baskets include soaps from Wild Highland Soaps, claw clips, bibs, hair bows, chapsticks, socks, lotions, hand sanitizers, coloring books, colored pencils, snacks, minky blankets, and stuffed puppies from Scheels.
Gift cards and coupons are also included from Dutch Bros, Flying M Coffee, a pizza company, Wendy’s (free meal coupons for breakfast and lunch), Albertsons, and a $10 coupon to a baby store.
Tiffany started collecting donations for this year’s baskets as early as November of last year, spending a few hours every week for the past 6 to 8 months to prepare — reaching out to companies, picking up donations, and organizing everything.
The assembly process includes last-minute tasks like ironing vinyl onto bags, opening boxes, and putting together gift card envelopes before the full baskets are assembled and delivered.
“We start putting the bags together, making sure we have everything in there, and then we deliver them on Mother’s Day,” Alyssa Higbee said.
The baskets are delivered before noon on Mother’s Day to avoid missing moms who may be discharged after doctors do their rounds. Currently, the organization delivers to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in downtown Boise.
Tiffany said delivering the baskets is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.
“I love seeing the moms sometimes we get to watch them come out with their baskets, and they’ll be going through it, and they look really excited and happy,” Tiffany Higbee said.
“Seeing how happy they are or knowing how I cheered them up a little bit for their Mother’s Day because it’s a big holiday, it’s their first with that baby at least,” Tiffany Higbee said.
The first year, the project was funded mostly out of their own pockets. Three years later, as an official nonprofit, they said they no longer have to rely heavily on their own funds thanks to their new partnerships.
The organization accepts both monetary donations via Venmo and their website, as well as in-kind donations of physical items like soaps, claw clips, and other basket items — year-round.
The organization’s future goal is to expand to all the different NICUs in the area, and potentially the PICUs (Pediatric Intensive Care Units) as well, since that was also part of Alyssa’s experience.
To learn how you can donate or get involved with “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” you can visit their website by clicking here.
Send tips to neighborhood reporter Brady Caskey
Have a story idea from South Boise, West Boise or Kuna? Share it with Brady below —
-
New York34 minutes agoAirbnb Turns to Black Leaders in Its Bid to Make a Comeback in New York
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoMetro Detroit braces for Frost Advisory, Freeze Warning overnight before rain arrives
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour ago50 Beagles Rescued From Wisconsin Lab Arrive in Bay Area, SF Activist Faces Felony Charges
-
Dallas, TX1 hour ago
Former Cowboys QB Craig Morton passes away at age 83
-
Miami, FL1 hour agoBrickell Avenue Bridge openings spark rush hour gridlock concerns in downtown Miami
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoWhat we know about accused Memorial Drive gunman Tyler Brown
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoBroncos Ring of Famer Craig Morton, who led Denver to first Super Bowl, dies at 83
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoVictim identified in deadly Seattle beer garden shooting on Lake City Way; suspect sought