Sun Valley Region storm history

A snowmobiler triggered an avalanche 8 miles southwest of Galena Summit in the Sawtooth recreation area and was killed by the avalanche. He was on a south facing slope near 9 thousand feet in elevation and triggered a very large avalanche that was approximately 500 feet wide and …

An atmospheric river event brought extreme snowfall amounts to the Sun Valley region over several days. 33.5 inches was measured by the COOP in Ketchum. Other amounts estimated at SNOTEL sites were: Chocolate Gulch 31 inches, Dollarhide Summit 42 inches, Galena 17 inches, Galena …

An avalanche in the Baker Creek area in Blaine County killed a 50 year old man of Jerome Idaho. Two snowmobliers were caught in the avalanche at about 9,000 feet in elevation and only one survived.

SNOTEL snow amount estimates were 13.6 inches at Chocolate Gulch, 15.9 inches at Galena, 19.3 inches at Galena Summit, and 17.1 inches at Lost Wood Divide.

An incredible 91 mph wind gust was measured 4 miles west of Galena at the SVT mesonet site. A 64 mph gust was measured 2 miles southwest of Ketchum and a large tree was uprooted at the Elkhorn golf course in Sun Valley.

A wildfire burning grass and sage began September 28th about 6 miles north of Ketchum. It continued through the end of the month and grew to 512 acres. It was near the Lake Creek picnic area and had Blaine County issuing pre evacuation notices but no evacuations occurred. It was …

A long period of snowfall brought 8 to 18 inches of snow through the Wood River Valley and surrounding mountains. The Dollarhide SNOTEL site reported a storm total of 19.8 inches, while Galena Summit reported 24.9 inches for the event. Additionally, wind gusts in excess of 50 mph…

Snow measured between 8 and 9 inches with a measured total of 8 inches at Galena Lodge and 9 inches measured on Bald Mountain at Sun Valley Resort. A wind gust of 48 mph was also measured near Galena.

A large avalanche near Board Ranch slammed into the back of a house near Penny Lake. No injuries or significant damage reported.

An avalanche blocked Warm Springs Road near Frenchman Bend. Road was not reopened until February 6th.

The Ketchum Ranger Station COOP station recorded 17 inches of snow over the long event. Galena Lodge recorded 33 inches over the 3 to 4 day event.

Snowmobiler rescued near Smiley Creek when they triggered a 900 foot wide avalanche near 9,300 feet. A rider was buried for 15 minutes but he was rescued by other snowmobilers and alert when evacuated to hospital for evaluation.

Idaho Highway 75 closed near milepost 155 and Horse Creek Road. Partial closure with highway reduced to one lane.

The Ketchum Ranger Station COOP site measured 10 inches of snow and Galena Lodge measured 9 inches of snow.

Heavy snow fell over a multiple day period with 16 inches in Ketchum, 14.6 inches 2 miles southwest of Sun Valley, and 18 inches at Galena Lodge.

Snowfall amounts were 10.6 inches 1 mile SSE of Ketchum, 9 inches 2 miles SW of Ketchum, 9 inches at Galena Lodge. An estimated 10.6 inches of snow fell at 10.6 at the Dollarhide Summit SNOTEL site.

A long lasting system brought heavy 3 day totals with 10 inches in Ketchum, 13 inches 2 miles southwest of Ketchum and 20 inches at Galena Lodge.

Fourteen inches of snow measured at Galena Lodge and 13 inches at Sun Valley by the morning of the 1st.

SOJTEL snow estimates were: 10.1 inches at Chocolate Gulch, 13.3 inches at Dollarhide Summit, 12.8 inches at Galena, and 14.3 inches at Galena Summit. Lost Wood Divide estimated 14.8 inches. The Ketchum COOP observer measured 8 inches of snowfall.

Estimated snow amounts from SNOTEL sites were Dollarhide Summit 16.1 inches and Galena Summit 13.7 inches. The COOP observer in Ketchum measured 13 inches.

An avalanche spilled across State Highway 75 at Galena Summit forcing the road to be closed on the morning of the 18th through about 315 Pm MST. It was closed from Ketchum to Stanley from milepost 145 to 165. 4 inches of snow had fallen in Ketchum.

The following estimated snow amounts fell at these SNOTEL sites: Chocolate Gulch 11.5 inches, Dollarhide Summit 16.1 inches, Galena 15.8 inches, Galena Summit 15.4 inches, Hyndman 13 inches, and Lost Wood Divide 16.4 inches.

Widespread wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph occurred on the 21st especially in the morning with a peak of 60 mph measured 4 miles west southwest of Galena.

An estimated 20 inches of snow fell at the Galena Summit SNOTEL site and 21 inches at the Dollarhide Summit SNOTEL site.

The COOP observer in Ketchum measured 14 inches of snow. 18 inches was measured on Bald Mountain. Several wind gust over 50 mph were measured near Ketchum overnight on the 14th and early morning of the 15th. The An estimated 11 inches of snow fell at the Lost Wood Divide SNOTEL s…

Avalanche near intersection of Whipsaw Ln and W Warm Springs Rd.

At least 8 avalanches reported on West Warm Springs Road blocking the road at multiple locations. One near Sandy Ln closing it to all traffic at end of pavement, and stayed closed through the 12th.

Avalanche along Lake Creek Rd off of Idaho 75 north of Ketchum with people trapped in a vehicle.

All lanes of Idaho 75 closed due to avalanche between Lake Creek Rd and Huelen Meadows.

Idaho Highway 75 blocked by avalanche near Glaassford Dr.

Heavy snow and strong winds occurred with the passage of a strong Pacific cold front. 18 inches of snow fell in Ketchum with 12 to 16 inches in Sun Valley. Highway 75 was closed in both directions over Galena Pass. A wind gust of 64 mph was measured 4 miles west of Galena and 55 …

An avalanche occurred on the 1st at around 10 AM MST in Ketchum. Warm Springs road was closed between Gates Road and Jane Lane by 11 AM.

An estimated 14 .3 inches of snow fell at the Dollarhide Summit SNOTEL site and an estimated 11.4 inches at the Lost Wood Divide SNOTEL site.

An avalanche brought debris across highway 75 and it was shut down going over Galena Summit on the 11th and 12th. It was closed from 22 miles north of Ketchum to 24 miles sough of Stanley.

Extremely heavy snow fell in the Sun Valley area with 24 to 28 inches measured in Ketchum and Sun Valley. SNOTEL site amounts were estimated to be the following: Chocolate Gulch 27 inches, Dollarhide Summit 27 inches, Galena 19 inches, Galena Summit 29 inches, Hyndman 17 inches, …

The Galena Lodge recorded 17 inches of snow and the Ketchum COOP observer recorded 14.5 inches.

A 70 mph wind gust occurred 4 miles west southwest of Galena and a 62 mph wind gust occurred 2 miles southwest of Ketchum during the morning of November 7th. Heavy snow fell during the 3 day period with the COOP observer in Ketchum reporting 19.3 inches. SNOTEL estimates were: 12…

The following snowfall was estimated at SNOTEL sites: Dollarhide Summit 12 inches, Galena and Galena Summit 8 inches.

The Ross Fark wildfire began in Camas County August 14th and spread into Blaine and Custer Counties in late August into early September. It was timber litter, timber and short grass that fueled the fire. By September 4th the fire expanded from 3 thousand acres to over 5 thousand …

The Ketchum COOP observer recorded 11 inches of snow. SNOTEL snowfall estimates were the following: Dollarhide Summit 23 inches, Galena Summit 15 inches, Hyndman 15 inches, Lost Wood Divide 10 inches, Garfield Ranger Station 27 inches, Smiley Mountain 18 inches, Stickney Mill 16 …

Fifty to 60 mph wind gusts were common after a cold frontal passage with a peak gust recorded at 62 mph 4 miles west of Galena.

Estimated snow amounts from the SNOTEL sites were: Chocolate Gulch 15 inches, Dollarhide Summit 30 inches, Galena 24 inches, Galena Summit 32 inches, Hyndman 13 inches and Lost Wood Divide 19 inches. The Ketchum COOP reported 9.5 inches of snow.

The COOP observer measured 21 inches of snow at the Ketchum site over the 24th through 27th.

AS much as 26 to 32 inches of snow was reported in Sun Valley and Ketchum.

Estimated SNOTEL snow amounts were the following: Dollarhide Summit 20 inches, Galena 10 inches, Galena Summit 17 inches, and Lost Wood Divide 12 inches.

Strong winds occurred throughout the early morning into the afternoon on the 20th. The peak gust was 63 mph 4 miles west of Galena.

High elevation snowfall estimates at SNOTEL sites were: 15 inches at Dollarhide Summit, 12 inches at Galena, 17 inches at Galena Summit, and 22 inches at Lost Wood Divide.

Back country skiers triggered avalanches on the Warm Springs side of Bald Mountain. Skiing operations were shut down on the afternoon of the 29th due to avalanche mitigation at Sun Valley ski resort. Substantial debris from one of the avalanches caused debris on Warm Springs Road…

One foot of snow was recorded by the Ketchum COOP observer. Other estimated SNOTEL amounts were: Chocolate Gulch 9 inches, Dollarhide Summit 11 inches, Galena and Galena Summit 9 inches, and Lost Wood Divide 14 inches.

Estimated SNOTEL snow amounts were: 21 inches at Chocolate Gulch, 35 inches at Dollarhide Summit, 27 inches at Galena, 27 inches at Galena Summit, 15 inches at Hyndman, and 24 inches at Lost Wood Divide.