Sandpoint, ID Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING

IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

07:00 PDT Thu Mar 12 2026

The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center in Sandpoint has issued a
BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING for the following areas:

NWS Missoula MT -
MTZ001 (MTZ001)

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

* WHAT...An Avalanche Warning is in effect from Thursday 7 AM PST
to Friday 7 AM PST. Very dangerous avalanche conditions have
developed from heavy snowfall and strong to extreme winds and
will last through Friday. You can very easily trigger avalanches
large enough to bury or kill you, and some will release
spontaneously. Avoid travel in avalanche terrain during this
period.

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

* WHEN...In effect from Thu 07:00 PDT to Fri 07:00 PDT.

* IMPACTS...An atmospheric river and violent jet stream have
joined forces to deliver heavy snowfall and strong to extreme
winds. Snowfall is being measured in multiple feet at higher
elevations, and the new snow has formed dangerous slabs of snow
and will likely cause a widespread cycle of natural avalanches
large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. It will be very
easy for backcountry travelers to trigger them during this
period.

* PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Travel in and around
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.