The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center in Sandpoint has issued a backcountry avalanche watch in effect from 7 a.m. today through 7 a.m. Saturday for Idaho’s five northern counties; Boundary, Benewah, Bonner, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties. This watch does not apply to local ski areas within the forecast region.
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.
Very dangerous avalanche conditions could develop by Saturday morning and raise the danger to High, level four of five in the Selkirk, West and East Cabinet Mountains, and Bitterroot Mountains – Silver Valley.
Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended during this period. Consult www.idahopanhandleavalanche.org or avalanche.org for more detailed information. Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.
