038
WOUS46 KOTX 221536
AVAOTX
IDC017-021-079-231400-

Avalanche Watch
Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center Sandpoint ID
Relayed by National Weather Service Spokane WA
736 AM PST Sat Feb 22 2025

The following message is transmitted at the request of the Idaho
Panhandle Avalanche Center.

The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center in Sandpoint has issued a
BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WATCH for the following areas:
NWS Spokane WA - ID 017 (Bonner County)...ID 021 (Boundary
County)...ID 079 (Shoshone County)

* WHAT...An Avalanche Watch is in effect from Saturday 6 AM PST to
  Sunday 6 AM PST. Very dangerous avalanche conditions are likely
  to develop by Sunday morning and raise the danger to High
  (Level 4of5).

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

* WHEN...In effect from Sat 06:00 PST to Sun 06:00 PST.

* IMPACTS...A warm, wet storm will deliver a combination of dense
  storm snow and moderate to heavy rainfall to the snowpack. The
  snow line will likely rise to between 6,000 and 7,000 feet by
  Sunday evening. The combination of strong winds and rain
  saturating the upper snowpack may be sufficient to overload weak
  snow layers and 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 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.


$$