Friday, December 23, 2005

Wet weather forecast to taper off

Baldy summit gets 14 inches of snow

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By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

Bald Mountain was shrouded in low clouds and fog Wednesday, as an unusually warm winter weather system dropped a messy mixture of rain and snow. Photo by David N. Seelig

As a warm, wet weather system set in over the Wood River Valley this week, some residents and visitors thought the Grinch had found his way to Idaho, planning to put a damper on the Christmas weekend.

However, it seems that Christmas might again be saved.

The weekend weather forecast Thursday called for the wet weather to begin tapering off today and give way to drier, slightly colder conditions. Forecasters said Friday morning snow showers—which could turn to rain at lower elevations—would end by the afternoon and allow peeks of the sun. Saturday should bring partly cloudy skies, highs around 33 degrees and a 10 percent chance of more moisture. Sunday's forecast called for mostly cloudy skies, highs around 33 degrees and a 20 percent chance of precipitation.

The warm, soggy system that brought steady rain to Ketchum and points south Wednesday did have a positive side. As the mercury dipped slightly Wednesday night, snow started to fall on lower elevations, including Ketchum.

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Meanwhile, snow fell steadily on the upper reaches of Bald Mountain, Sun Valley Resort's primary ski area. Sun Valley officials Thursday morning reported that the higher elevations of Baldy had received 10 inches of new snow in the previous 24 hours and 14 inches over the previous 72 hours.

Although rain fell at the bottom of Baldy Wednesday, the snow depth at the base of the mountain held somewhat steady at 27 inches. One week ago, when temperatures were significantly colder, the snow depth at the base was 30 inches.

Vast amounts of ski terrain are open in the Warm Springs, River Run and Seattle Ridge areas of Bald Mountain. Dollar Mountain is also open.

For detailed updates on ski runs and lifts open at Sun Valley Resort, visit www.sunvalley.com or call (800) 635-4150.