Weather Alert in Idaho
Avalanche Warning issued March 12 at 7:03AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
AREAS AFFECTED: Bonner, ID; Boundary, ID; Shoshone, ID
DESCRIPTION: AVWOTX 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.
INSTRUCTION: N/A
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Weather Topic: What are Shelf Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Shelf Clouds
Next Topic: Sleet
A shelf cloud is similar to a wall cloud, but forms at the front
of a storm cloud, instead of at the rear, where wall clouds form.
A shelf cloud is caused by a series of events set into motion by the advancing
storm; first, cool air settles along the ground where precipitation has just fallen.
As the cool air is brought in, the warmer air is displaced, and rises above it,
because it is less dense. When the warmer air reaches the bottom of the storm cloud,
it begins to cool again, and the resulting condensation is a visible shelf cloud.
Next Topic: Sleet
Weather Topic: What is Snow?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Snow
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
Snow is precipitation taking the form of ice crystals. Each ice crystal, or snowflake,
has unique characteristics, but all of them grow in a hexagonal structure.
Snowfall can last for sustained periods of time and result in significant buildup
of snow on the ground.
On the earth's surface, snow starts out light and powdery, but as it begins to melt
it tends to become more granular, producing small bits of ice which have the consistency of
sand. After several cycles of melting and freezing, snow can become very dense
and ice-like, commonly known as snow pack.
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
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