Full Notification

AVAOTX The following message is transmitted at the request of the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center. The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center in Sandpoint has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WATCH for the following areas: NWS Missoula MT - MT 053 (Lincoln County)...MT 061 (Mineral County)...MTC 089 (Sanders County) NWS Spokane WA - ID 017 (Bonner County)...ID 021 (Boundary County)...ID 055 (Kootenai County)...ID 079 (Shoshone County)

* WHAT...The avalanche danger for the warning areas and the IPAC forecast zones may rise to high by Wednesday, February 28th.

* WHERE...Elevations above 5,000 feet in the St. Regis/Silver Valley area, Selkirk Range, West and East Cabinets and the Purcell Range of Northwest Montana.

* WHEN...In effect from Tue 09:00 PST to Wed 09:00 PST.

* IMPACTS...Heavy snowfall and strong winds are forecasted for Wednesday (Feb 28th)-Sunday (March 3rd) at elevations above 4,000 feet. 20 to 60+ inches of snow are forecasted to fall during that time. The new snow and wind will cause dangerous avalanche conditions in steep and mountainous terrain.

* PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions expected. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avalanches may run long distances and can run into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain. Consult http://www.idahopanhandleavalanche.org/ or www.avalanche.org for more detailed information. Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.

* AFFECTED AREAS: BONNER, ID ... BOUNDARY, ID ... KOOTENAI, ID ... SHOSHONE, ID