Pocatello, Idaho – Drivers heading into Idaho’s mountain corridors have hours to prepare before snow and 50 mph wind gusts begin coating high-elevation roads late Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Pocatello, a Winter Weather Advisory takes effect at 8 p.m. Monday for the Sun Valley Region, Sawtooth and Stanley Basin, Frank Church Wilderness and Big Lost Highlands, continuing through 5 p.m. Tuesday. Snow totals will range from 4 to 8 inches below 7,500 feet, with 8 to 12 inches above that level. Winds may gust to 40 mph, creating blowing and drifting snow.
A separate advisory begins at 11 p.m. Monday for the Bear River Range, Caribou Range, Big Hole Mountains and Centennial Mountains near Island Park. Those areas could see 8 to 14 inches above 7,000 feet, with gusts up to 50 mph near Emigration Summit.
Highways near Galena Summit, Sun Valley, Stanley and Island Park may become snow-packed overnight. Blowing snow could reduce visibility during the Tuesday morning commute and again late Tuesday afternoon.
Motorists should slow down, allow extra stopping distance and check 511.idaho.gov before traveling. Advisories remain in effect through late Tuesday afternoon, and additional updates are possible if snowfall rates intensify.
