The West was smacked with feet of snow from back-to-back storms this week, increasing avalanche risks. After several avalanche-caused fatalities, Rebecca Hodgetts, avalanche specialist with the USFS Avalanche Center, joins FOX Weather to talk about how avalanches are caused, studied and what to watch for when out in the backcountry.
ISLAND PARK, Idaho – A snowmobiler was killed on Sunday afternoon after being buried by a large avalanche.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), a group of four snowmobilers were visiting the area from the Midwest, when one was caught up in the avalanche.
The slide buried the person fairly deep and did not survive.
Two others may have been caught in the slide, as well, but were uninjured.
Aftermath of deadly avalanche that killed a snowmobiler in Island Park, ID
(Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center / FOX Weather)
According to the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC), dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the mountains near Island Park and West Yellowstone.
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“Slopes steeper than 30 degrees should be avoided, including flatter terrain below steep slopes,” says GNFAC.
The organization notes that avalanche danger is considerable south of Bozeman, near Big Sky, West Yellowstone, Island Park and Cooke City.
“We are deeply saddened to report a snowmobile avalanche fatality today,” says GNFAC.
This is an ongoing story. Stay with FOX Weather for all the latest details.
