Warmth continues across east Idaho

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - The recent warmer temperatures continue to warm up into the upper 30's and lower 40's for eastern Idaho. While this does put a damper on the snowy conditions across the region, it is giving us many other conditions for us to be concerned about.

The first concern is the elevated, high avalanche risk. Avalanches are still very likely to occur across the region as week snow is falling across most of the mountains. Rain showers in the lower elevations is forcing the snowpack to become more weak making it more susceptible to avalanches. On the bottom layer of the snow, there is a very weak layer from the first bits of snowfall that happened back in December. Most of this risk continues after the Sawtooth Avalanche Center reported avalanches happening on six out of the past seven days in central Idaho alone.

The other concern is the roadways. The fluctuating temperatures above and below freezing is creating difficult road conditions. When the temperatures get above 32 degrees, the snow melts creating a slushy mess. When the temperatures freeze again heading into the early morning hours, the puddles are prone to freezing up which creates very icy conditions on the way to work and school.