Sawtooth Avalanche Centers issues avalanche advisory for recent weather conditions

WOOD RIVER VALLEY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — An avalanche danger advisory was issued by the Sawtooth Avalanche Center over most mountains and valleys in Southern Idaho.

Avalanches are most likely to occur when it’s snowing hard or when it’s snowing and blowing hard, and the Wood River Valley started to see those kinds of conditions Wednesday night, according to the center. KMVT spoke with experts to see how outdoor recreators can remain safe in these kinds of conditions.

“We expect avalanche conditions to worsen, and it may not be the best time for venturing out,” said Ethan Davis, an Avalanche Forecaster with the Avalanche Center.

With strong winds in the upper elevations of Idaho and heavy snow, the Sawtooth Avalanche Center has placed a level three advisory for avalanche danger on the Soldier and Wood River Valley Mountains, as well as the Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mountains.

“We do expect the avalanche danger to increase to high, so a level-4 and we may even issue avalanche warnings in the coming days as snow continues to pile up and we expect larger avalanches to occur naturally,” said Davis.

An additional six to 16 inches of snow is expected at 6,000 feet or above by Sunday morning. Adding to the avalanche danger, according to KMVT Chief Meteorologist Bobby Klark, the valleys and mountains are also expecting rainfall to combine with that snow over the next few days.

“If rain falls on snow, it’s going to melt it and make it heavy on the surfaces and sometimes that heavier snow on the surface can cause an avalanche to over as well,” said Davis.

With avalanche conditions expected to worsen going into the weekend, Davis encourages outdoor recreators to carry their rescue gear.

“If you do choose to go out, you always need to carry a beacon, a probe and a shovel, that’s your basic rescue gear,” said Davis.

And always check the avalanche forecast before beginning any activities.

“Once we reach a level of 4 or 5, or higher danger, we just recommend that folks avoid high avalanche shrines,” said Davis. “That means slopes steeper than about 30 degrees but also slopes that are underneath those steep slopes because we do expect avalanches to initiate high up and then reach lower elevations that may not seem as dangerous in the valley bottoms.”

To find out what other areas in Idaho have been issued avalanche danger warnings, click here.

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