Rain triggers another mudslide

Unsettled weather predicted to last through Thursday

By :JASON KAUFFMAN

Heavy rainfall caused another mudslide to cover a portion of Warm Springs Road late last Friday. And, once again, Blaine County officials were forced to close the road west of Ketchum to public use. 

The closure only lasted for a short period of time. By Saturday, July 4, the road was reopened in time for campers hoping to enjoy the area over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Thunderstorms and rain on Friday and Saturday in Ketchum dampened some events happening for the Fourth of July but seemed not to dampen spirits of holiday revelers.

The National Weather Service is predicting isolated showers and thunderstorms for the next several days in the Wood River Valley.

Earlier today, the agency issued a hazardous weather outlook warning of a chance of small hail, gusty winds and heavy rains. The advisory covers the Big and Little Wood river drainages as well as much of the rest of eastern Idaho. Later this week, the agency is predicting a return to warm and sunny weather. 

Here's the weather service's long-term forecast for the Wood River Valley:

Today: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southeast wind 6 to 11 miles per hour becoming southwest. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10 percent.

Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. West southwest wind between 8 and 11 mph becoming calm. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south southwest between 6 and 9 mph.

Tuesday night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind between 5 and 8 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 71. West wind between 5 and 8 mph.

Wednesday night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Thursday: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 74.

Thursday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 77.

Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.