Coeur d'Alene Snow Pictures (Eagle: employment, move to, housing)

[Bellstarr2007]

Actually, I'd welcome any information anyone in the CDA and surrounding areas can provide!

[IdahoEagle]

It has warmed up and the snow is melting fast, I will try to post some pictures tommorrow.
I think Sage has the right idea, "embrace it". Life is an adventure enjoy it while you can.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Bellstarr, it's tough to define a typical winter around here. I've been in the area since '94, first south of CDA (Mica Flats) and in Sagle since '03. I'd be hardpressed to give you average total snowfall, but most winters we'd see 1-2' on the ground at any one time, with most melting sometime throughout the winter. Usually there are at least some patches of bare ground sometime during the winter at the elevations I'm familiar with (2000-2600 ft). Normally, daily highs are somewhere in the high 20s-30s, with lows in the teens and 20s. Single digit or below zero temps are rare, but we'll usually have one streach of a few days sometime during the winter. I'm from Buffalo, temps here are considerably milder. Also, we have many days of sun during the winter, it's really a beautiful time around here. The mountains and high country are incredable. The humidity is much lower than in the East, on a sunny 20* day it's comfortable in just a sweatshirt outside if you're working. We don't have much of that damp cold that just cuts right through you like so much of the NE does.

Snowfall rates tend to be pretty localized, for example with respect to the CDA area, there it relatively little at the WA border (maybe 12 miles West), somewhat more in Post Falls, perhaps double that amount at CDA. I'd guess the Sandpoint area gets 1.5X what CDA does. Now, just 8 miles south of CDA where I used to live (Mica Flats), we'd get double or more what CDA did, due to elevation. All of this is subjective based on my observations, weather service data might prove me wrong. Up in the mountains (which are not far from the cities) you may have 10+ FEET on the ground, it's cool when you are used to flatlander conditions like I was before coming here.

In short, if you're used to PA, don't let this area scare you. This has been a pretty exceptional winter, we've had pretty much one continuous storm since about the 17th of DE (with amost none before then), with a few days off between snowfalls. This isn't typical, we could go the rest of the winter and not see more than another foot...but who knows. Our typical snowfall is less than 10" in any one storm, usually fairly heavy, wet snow due to the mild temps. The real heavy dump we had (around 30") was an exception, it was real light powder, you could drive right through it and not feel it, kind of cool (with a 4x4 anyway). That's another thing, winds tend to be pretty mild, you don't see the 10-15 foot drifts like we'd get in Buffalo.

As IdahoEagle said, it's warmed up, temps in the 40's with some rain, the snow has pretty much melted off roofs, and melted/settled to about 1/3 what it was on the ground.

Hope this helps, others might give you some different input.

BTW, with the concerns about the animals getting around...this gives your boyfriend an excuse to get a Kubota to clear an area for them! Gotta look for the bright side. I'm guessing you're looking for a rural area for the critters. If you stay on the Rathdrum prarie (covers a pretty big area, from the border to roughly Hwy 95, and from CDA to Chilco) the elevations are fairly low, snowfall is typically fairly mild. Go 10 miles East into the hills and you'll see 2-3X as much. Of course the hill country offers prettier views, so take your pick. When are you looking at moving, and will your BF be working in the CDA area? Give us an idea if you are looking for a rural location, and how far you would be willing to commute and I'm sure you'll get more input, and some ideas on what to expect. One thing you won't see a lot of are 1-2 acre lots, most unincorporated areas requrie 5, 10 or 20 acre parcels, unless you are looking at a subdivision.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by Trace_Rinaldi

Dang thats crazy with the building collapsing.. I guess there IS something to be said for the micro-climates down south a bit. This is today Harrison ridge 1.7.08 its raining and about 45 deg's.. Cant believe this is only 30 or so miles from CDA and Spokane.. Is it raining further north and warming up?

The big problem is that Spokane only requires a roof design rated for 30lbs/ft. I think Kootenai County mandates 40, smart money is on 60 or better, especially in snow prone areas. The cost isn't much more, worth it for the peace of mind.

[Trace_Rinaldi]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

The big problem is that Spokane only requires a roof design rated for 30lbs/ft. I think Kootenai County mandates 40, smart money is on 60 or better, especially in snow prone areas. The cost isn't much more, worth it for the peace of mind.

On my knife shop roof we went with 40Lb snow load, and I think thats what Benewah calls for. According to all the weather sites the "average" in my area Plummer/Worley is 16" of snow a year compared to 40"+ in CDA, Spokane etc. I know that has been well exceeded the last couple years, but Im thinking it will be fine, or at least hope it will..

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by Trace_Rinaldi

On my knife shop roof we went with 40Lb snow load, and I think thats what Benewah calls for. According to all the weather sites the "average" in my area Plummer/Worley is 16" of snow a year compared to 40"+ in CDA, Spokane etc. I know that has been well exceeded the last couple years, but Im thinking it will be fine, or at least hope it will..

That's an eye opener, I didn't realize just how much lower the average snow fall was in the Plummer/Worley area. Sounds like you will be in good shape. I understand that the measured snow load in CDA was running around 30-35 lbs/sf before the melt.

[Bellstarr2007]

Toyman,

Thanks so much for all of that information! /That's was really nice of you to take the time and give such a detailed answer! I didn't respond until today because, with the rising costs of everything and the fact that I'm on a computer all day at work, I had the internet disconnected at home to save some $$$.

Actually, I'd like to have the Kubota! Hehehe! I'm a petite gal, but no stranger to a chain saw and the quad. I have to pitch in and do my part! Especially since I'm the one that brought all the critters home. LOL! I just love the outdoors. I'd much rather be fishing, camping or looking for elk/deer, etc. than going to the mall any day! Yes, I'd be looking for a rural area for the critters. I'd like to try and find a minimum of 5 acres with a house. More than that would be a plus. Subdivisions aren't for me. I like a little space between me and the neighbor. I'm not a recluse by any means....I just like a little breathing room. I'm planning another trip up to CDA mid-April. I want to take the time to look at some houses and then I'll probably come back and put the house on the market. I was just so impressed with all the good riding areas up there. I miss the green and snow actually, but I don't want to go back east. I like the openness of the west.

Did you move from Buffalo to Idaho? What made you choose that area? Personally, for me, it just has it all. I know I've read some posts that are negative, but every place has it's downside. If there was one perfect place, we'd all be living there.

I can deal with 2 feet of snow. That's still manageable. I'm really excited about the prospect of living there. One free horse started of this! LOLOL!!

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by Bellstarr2007

Toyman,

Thanks so much for all of that information! /That's was really nice of you to take the time and give such a detailed answer! I didn't respond until today because, with the rising costs of everything and the fact that I'm on a computer all day at work, I had the internet disconnected at home to save some $$$.

Actually, I'd like to have the Kubota! Hehehe! I'm a petite gal, but no stranger to a chain saw and the quad. I have to pitch in and do my part! Especially since I'm the one that brought all the critters home. LOL! I just love the outdoors. I'd much rather be fishing, camping or looking for elk/deer, etc. than going to the mall any day! Yes, I'd be looking for a rural area for the critters. I'd like to try and find a minimum of 5 acres with a house. More than that would be a plus. Subdivisions aren't for me. I like a little space between me and the neighbor. I'm not a recluse by any means....I just like a little breathing room. I'm planning another trip up to CDA mid-April. I want to take the time to look at some houses and then I'll probably come back and put the house on the market. I was just so impressed with all the good riding areas up there. I miss the green and snow actually, but I don't want to go back east. I like the openness of the west.

Did you move from Buffalo to Idaho? What made you choose that area? Personally, for me, it just has it all. I know I've read some posts that are negative, but every place has it's downside. If there was one perfect place, we'd all be living there.

I can deal with 2 feet of snow. That's still manageable. I'm really excited about the prospect of living there. One free horse started of this! LOLOL!!

Bellstarr, it sounds like you're made for North Idaho! There is everything you're looking for and more. As to why I moved here from Buffalo, it was as far as you could get from Buffalo on I90 without ending up in WA. Not really-it was the outdoor activities, especially the hunting and fishing that attracted me. I have found the area to be everything I wanted and more-but it doesn't fit everyone. Now if only I didn't have to work and could spend more time in the woods

Are you taking vacation time in April to come here? Weather might be iffy, probably somewhat rainy, perhaps lingering snow then. On the other hand it could be 70 and sunny. As they say here, if you don't like the weather wait 10 minutes.

How far from the CDA area can you stand to be? The Vay valley is maybe 45 minutes, it's fairly flat, there is lots of pasture land, and lots of neighbors with horses. Plus there is public land in the area, and it's a pretty spot, with a creek running through the valley. Unfortunately, there is a RR tract too, but it doesn't get a lot of traffic. It's maybe 10 minutes from my place, and not far from Sage. I prefer Bonner county over Kootenai, it is less crowded and building permits are much less expensive. All personal perference, it may not appeal to you. If you can give us more info with regard to what you can stand for commuting and what you're looking for I'm sure you'll get more advice on areas to check out.

[IdahoEagle]

Here are some pictures from today.

1/18/2009 Pictures

This is what is usually like here when there is snow on the ground.

[wanttoretire]

Roads are clear, sun is out, nice pictures, thanks for sharing.