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 entire forecast region, which includes Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties. This watch does not apply to local ski areas within the forecast region.

* WHAT...An Avalanche Watch is in effect from 7 AM Friday until 7 AM Saturday. Very dangerous avalanche conditions could develop by Saturday morning and raise the danger to High (Level 4of5).

* WHERE...The Selkirk, West and East Cabinet Mountains, and Bitterroot Mountains - Silver Valley.

* WHEN...In effect from Fri 07:00 PST to Sat 07:00 PST.

* IMPACTS...Forecast snowfall amounts are sufficient to cause a widespread cycle of avalanches large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. Some of these avalanches could release naturally, and it will be very easy for backcountry travelers to trigger them.

* PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended during this period. 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