Weather disrupts eastern Idaho

Road conditions led to accidents and road closures throughout eastern Idaho, with some students and government workers going home early.

Interstate 84 in both directions, between Exit 222 (junction with I-86) and the Utah state line, was closed Thursday afternoon because of drifting snow on the roadway and reduced visibility.

And on I-15 southbound between Fort Hall and U.S. 91, an overturned semi trailer blocked the left lane Thursday evening.

Idaho State Police are warning drivers throughout eastern Idaho to be prepared for severe driving conditions Thursday. Troopers in the Idaho Falls and Pocatello areas have investigated multiple slide-offs and crashes.In Ammon, for example, a school bus was involved in a fender bender.

ISP said blowing snow approached white-out conditions in many areas. Roads were snow-covered and icy. Motorists were encouraged to slow down and drive safely.

The Idaho Transportation Department asks that motorists check out the latest road conditions on 511.idaho.gov.

Several Idaho National Lab contractors sent site employees home early because of severe weather.

Battelle Energy Alliance, AMWTP, Idaho Cleanup Project, curtailed operations for all nonessential site employees. They will keep nuclear facilities and shift work up and running.

INL spokeswoman Misty Benjamin said blowing and drifting snow were affecting roadways, making it difficult to keep internal site roads open, disrupting work.

In Fort Hall, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes closed tribal government offices at 2 p.m. due to adverse weather conditions.

In Blackfoot, the school district got out an hour early today due to weather conditions.

Some high school basketball games were canceled due to weather. See http://goo.gl/Kyg8Z.

For more on the weather, see the weather section of our app or www.localnews8.com/weather.