After a weekend storm, Idaho mountain roads closed due to avalanche risk, deep snow
Two routes in the Idaho mountains outside of Boise were closed Sunday evening, in part because of heavy snowfall across the area over the weekend.
U.S. 95 north of Council was closed shortly before 6 p.m. due to a jackknifed semi truck blocking the roadway, according to the Idaho Transportation Department’s 511 road report. It’s not clear if weather played a factor in the crash, though ITD warns that roads in the area are snow-covered and slippery.
Idaho 21 was closed in two spots on Sunday. Shortly before 3 p.m., the road was closed between Granite Creek Road and Banks Lowman Road south of Lowman (milepost 48 to 72) due to deep snow. At the same time, 12 miles of the road was closed near Grandjean (milepost 93.7 to 105.5) due to avalanche danger. The area is known as “Avalanche Alley.”
ITD officials said they would reassess the avalanche danger early Monday morning. The closure near Lowman will not be reviewed until Tuesday morning, according to the 511 report.
While Idaho 55 to Cascade and McCall remained open on Sunday, officials again warned of slick, potentially dangerous winter driving conditions.
Each of the roads is in the midst of winter storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service’s Boise branch. The McCall area is also under an avalanche warning.
On Sunday, the National Weather Service predicted Lowman could receive another 18 inches of snow by Tuesday morning, while Council could add 14 inches and Cascade could see another two feet.
To stay up to date on road closures, visit 511.idaho.gov.
