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 Spokane WA - ID 017 (Bonner County)...ID 021 (Boundary County)...ID 079 (Shoshone County)

* WHAT...An Avalanche Watch is in effect from Friday 6 AM PST to Saturday 6 AM PST. Very dangerous avalanche conditions are likely to develop by Saturday morning and raise the danger to High (Level 4 of 5).

* WHERE...The Selkirk, West and East Cabinet, Purcell, and Bitterroot Mountains - Silver Valley above 4,000 feet.

* WHEN...In effect from Fri 06:00 PST to Sat 06:00 PST.

* IMPACTS...Heavy snowfall and strong winds may be sufficient to overload very weak snow layers and 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 become 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 ... SHOSHONE, ID