Weather Alert in Montana
Avalanche Watch issued February 22 at 8:34PM MST by NWS Missoula MT
AREAS AFFECTED: Kootenai/Cabinet Region
DESCRIPTION: AVAMSO The following message is transmitted at the request of Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center Sandpoint ID. ...AVALANCHE WATCH ISSUED BY THE IDAHO PANHANDLE AVALANCHE CENTER... 19:00 PST Sun Feb 22 2026 The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center in Sandpoint has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WATCH 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 Watch is in effect from Sunday 7 PM PST to Monday 4 PM PST. Very dangerous avalanche conditions are likely to develop by Monday afternoon 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 Sun 19:00 PST to Mon 16:00 PST. * IMPACTS...A warm, wet storm will deliver moderate to heavy snowfall to the snowpack. The new snowfall may add enough weight to the snowpack to overload fragile 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, propagate widely across terrain features like ridges, and run long distances into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain. 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.
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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
Weather Topic: What are Stratus Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Stratus Clouds
Next Topic: Wall Clouds
Stratus clouds are similar to altostratus clouds, but form at a
lower altitude and are identified by their fog-like appearance, lacking the
distinguishing features of most clouds.
Stratus clouds are wider than most clouds, and their base has a smooth, uniform
look which is lighter in color than a nimbostratus cloud.
The presence of a stratus cloud indicates the possibility of minor precipitation,
such as drizzle, but heavier precipitation does not typically arrive in the form
of a stratus cloud.
Next Topic: Wall Clouds
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