Active Weather Alerts
Avalanche Warning
Issued: 1:59 PM Mar. 13, 2026 – National Weather Service
The following message is transmitted at the request of Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center Sandpoint ID. ...AVALANCHE WARNING ISSUED BY THE IDAHO PANHANDLE AVALANCHE CENTER... 07:00 PDT Fri Mar 13 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 079 (Shoshone County) * WHAT...An Avalanche Warning is in effect from Friday 7 AM PST to Saturday 7 AM PST. Very dangerous avalanche conditions developed Wednesday night from heavy snowfall and strong to extreme winds, and these hazardous conditions are lasting through Saturday due to continued heavy snowfall in specific locations and sustained winds strong enough to transport the abundant new snow. A person's weight or a rider on a machine can very easily trigger avalanches large enough to bury or kill them, and some slides will release naturally. * WHERE...The Bitterroot Mountains - Silver Valley and the East Cabinet Mountains above 4,000 feet. * WHEN...In effect from Fri 07:00 PDT to Sat 07:00 PDT. * IMPACTS...An atmospheric river and violent jet stream joined forces to deliver heavy snowfall and strong to extreme winds to the Inland Northwest. Winds are subsiding considerably on Friday, however the sustained moderate to heavy snowfall is being measured in multiple feet at higher elevations. The recent 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. * PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the mountains and widespread areas of unstable snow are expected. The largest slides may run long distances and can run into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain. Travel in or near avalanche terrain is not recommended and should be avoided during the period of significant instability. 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.
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