Sawtooth Avalanche Center issues level 4 avalanche warning

WOODRIVER VALLEY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — With the big multi-day snowstorm we’ve been having in the higher terrains-- according to the Sawtooth Avalanche Center, the snowpack is starting to get to its breaking point, causing them to increase the avalanche warnings from a level 3 to, now, a level 4.

This warning is not issued for just outdoor recreators in the back country, but also for people who may be at risk, while living their normal lives in the valley bottoms.

The avalanche center reports that the state has not accumulated that much snow in the avalanche paths that are hanging above towns and cities like Ketchum or Hailey. However, there’s still a chance that the snow could block roadways and hit buildings.

The center encourages viewers to keep an eye on the forecasts because avalanches could be life threatening.

“Most likely if we don’t have more significant snow or more strong winds-- winds can transport tremendous amounts of snow really quickly and really increase the chance and size of avalanches-- it doesn’t look like anything like that is in the forecast,” says avalanche forecaster, Scott Savage.

“So, we would expect that the avalanche danger will gradually drop or gradually decrease. I doubt that on this storm that we will go to a level 5, which is extreme.”

According to Savage, the center expects most areas in Idaho to decrease back around to a considerable danger level, which is a level 3 warning. However, the Sawtooth Avalanche Center does report that most deaths occur during a level 3 warning. So, if you plan to go out and have fun in the snow, choose your terrain wisely.

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