Avalanche Watch Issued for Flathead County

The National Weather Service has issued an Avalanche Watch for Flathead County, effective from Saturday, February 22 at 7 AM until Sunday, February 23 at 7 AM. This alert has been transmitted at the request of the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center in Sandpoint.

This Avalanche Watch warns of very dangerous avalanche conditions likely to develop by Sunday morning, raising the danger to High (Level 4 of 5). The affected areas include the Selkirk, West and East Cabinet, Purcell, and Bitterroot Mountains above 4,000 feet.

A warm, wet storm is expected to bring dense storm snow along with moderate to heavy rainfall to the snowpack. The snow line is likely to rise between 6,000 and 7,000 feet by Sunday evening. The combination of strong winds and rain may cause weak snow layers to overload, resulting in a widespread cycle of avalanches capable of burying, injuring, or killing a person. Backcountry travelers may easily trigger these avalanches, with some likely to release naturally.

Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended during this period. For more information, consult the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center website.