Full Notification

AVAOTX The following message is transmitted at the request of the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center. ...AVALANCHE WATCH ISSUED BY THE IDAHO PANHANDLE AVALANCHE CENTER... 07:00 PDT Wed Mar 11 2026 The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center in Sandpoint has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WATCH for the following areas: NWS Missoula MT - MTZ001 (MTZ001) NWS Spokane WA - ID 017 (Bonner County)...ID 021 (Boundary County)...ID079(Shoshone County)

* WHAT...An Avalanche Watch is in effect from Wednesday 7 AM PST to Thursday 7 AM PST. Very dangerous avalanche conditions are likely to develop by Thursday 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 Wed 07:00 PDT to Thu 07:00 PDT.

* IMPACTS...An atmospheric river and violent jet stream join forces to deliver moderate to heavy snowfall and strong to extreme winds. Snowfall is expected to be measured in feet not inches and the new snow will form dangerous slabs of snow, and may cause a widespread cycle of avalanches large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. 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