Can this be right? (Moscow, Eagle: sale, live in, gardening)

[Trace_Rinaldi]

I was looking at snowfall averages for Plummer Idaho which is where we plan on moving. I compared them against the averages from CDA(30 miles to the north) Spokane (35 miles to the NW) and St. Maries (20 miles east)
I got info from several sites to try and be as accuate as possible.

The average yearly snowfall for Plummer is 16" PLUMMER 3 WSW, IDAHO - Climate Summary
Average from CDA is 46"
COEUR D ALENE 1 E, IDAHO - Climate Summary
Spokane averages 49"
http://www.city-data.com/top2/c464.html
St. Maries average is 59"
Welcome to the Geography of St. Maries, Idaho

I had heard that Plummer gets less snow than much of the surrrounding area's. One guy described it as the "banana belt" or something, and
there IS alot of farming going on around there. I've never lived where it snows, and I find it hard to believe that the amounts can vary that much in such a small area. I also know averages dont matter for crap when you have snow piled up all over..
I actually was looking forward to having snow, and Im sure I will get plenty, I just wonder if this can be very a very accurate comparison.

[mistyriverranch]

I just went thru there last month and it is getting closer to the Palouse so it could be true.

[IdahoEagle]

Yes. If you look at a gardening growing zone chart in a seed catalog you will see that that there are growing zone changes in that area. Plummer is geographically more like the "Palouse" area towards Moscow, Idaho and Pullman, Washington.
There is also a "Snow belt" around Athol, Idaho that gets more snow than everyone else.

[Trace_Rinaldi]

Originally Posted by IdahoEagle

Yes. If you look at a gardening growing zone chart in a seed catalog you will see that that there are growing zone changes in that area. Plummer is geographically more like the "Palouse" area towards Moscow, Idaho and Pullman, Washington.
There is also a "Snow belt" around Athol, Idaho that gets more snow than everyone else.

Hmmm thats interesting.. A friend of mine moved to Rathdrum a few years back and he told me its in the "snow belt", he got hammered pretty good with snow this year too.

I guess now I have something to say to my friends who say we're gonna be buried in snow! I would have been fine with more snow, but I guess its a good thing in the long run. I know I love the property we have, and I like the small town (but close to civilization) thing.
Very mild winters are just another plus, especially for snow newbies..

[Sage of Sagle]

Have not heard that about Plummer...but yes, Athol/Rathdrum/Cocolalla/Sagle gets hit pretty hard, when CDA and Sandpoint won't be quite as bad...

[Haakon]

I haven't looked at those specific areas, but I could easily believe it. Mountains can create very odd weather patterns, and the elevation makes a huge difference in the amount of snow you might get. For example, I live in the foothills NE of Seattle. We get snow several times a year, last winter we had as much as 11" of snow overnight, but 3 miles away and a few hundred feet lower elevation had very little and town 7 miles away and another few hundred feet lower had none.

Can you imagine what it's like calling in to work saying you won't make it in because there is 11" of snow on the ground, when no one else has any?

[Trace_Rinaldi]

Sage, I remember our realtor telling us that people further north can have snow on the ground, while folks in Plummer/Worley are mowing thier lawns. I kinda thought he was just telling us that to help make the sale, but didnt really believe it.
I guess he was right!!;-)

[Trace_Rinaldi]

Originally Posted by Haakon

Can you imagine what it's like calling in to work saying you won't make it in because there is 11" of snow on the ground, when no one else has any?

Uuuuh yah I can see how that could be a hard sale for sure!

[cleosmom]

Idaho is loaded with micro-climates. I know here we can have a downpour and less than two miles away my friend gets nothing. Same type thing when I've gone up to Rigby to get my hair done, the roads here might be clear for the most part and before I get there it can be snowing with a few inches on the ground.

[Trace_Rinaldi]

The other thing I thought was odd is the elevation... CDA is 2152' OSL, and Plummer is 2722'. I figured that would make for more snow being over 500' difference. We are on the south end of the same lake at higher elevation and still it gets roughly 1/3rd of the average snowfall that CDA gets.. Im not complaining, its just strange. I guess there are several factors at work and I suppose I should stop looking a gift horse in the mouth..