Station Name: S F Flathead River nr Columbia Falls MT
Data Source: Water Data - usgc.gov

Elevation Above Sea Level: 3,091 feet

Nearest Address:
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Flathead County

GPS Coordinates: 48.35657778, -114.0378583

Nearby Water Temperatures

Avalanche Watch issued March 11 at 6:24AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Non-Weather Emergency Message. Not sent to IPAWS.

Effective: Wed March 11, 2026, 6:24 AM
Expires: Thu March 12, 2026, 6:00 AM

AVAMSO The following message is transmitted at the request of Flathead Avalanche Center Hungry Horse MT. ...AVALANCHE WATCH ISSUED BY THE FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER... 07:00 MDT Wed Mar 11 2026 The Flathead Avalanche Center in Hungry Horse has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WATCH for the following areas: NWS Missoula MT - MTZ001 (MTZ001)...MTZ002 (MTZ002) * WHAT...An incoming storm may create exceptionally dangerous conditions. * WHERE...The Whitefish, Swan, Flathead, and Apgar Ranges, and the Lake McDonald Valley and Marias Pass regions in Glacier National Park. * WHEN...In effect from Wed 07:00 MDT to Thu 06:00 MDT. * IMPACTS...Snow and strong winds are expected to arrive late Wednesday. If the storm develops as forecasted, danger may rise to High (Level 4 of 5) overnight. Avalanches could break in the new and wind-drifted snow. Larger and more destructive avalanches may fail on buried weak layers. The likelihood of natural and human-triggered avalanches will increase. * PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Exceptionally dangerous avalanche conditions may develop. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avalanches may run long distances and can run into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain. Consult http://www.flatheadavalanche.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.

High Wind Warning issued March 10 at 11:47PM MDT until March 12 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Tue March 10, 2026, 11:47 PM
Expires: Thu March 12, 2026, 12:00 AM

* WHAT...Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected. * WHERE...Kootenai/Cabinet Region. * WHEN...From midnight Wednesday Night to 6 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive.

High Wind Warning issued March 10 at 11:47PM MDT until March 12 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Tue March 10, 2026, 11:47 PM
Expires: Thu March 12, 2026, 12:00 AM

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. * WHERE...Flathead/Mission Valleys. * WHEN...From midnight Wednesday Night to 6 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive.

Winter Weather Advisory issued March 10 at 11:57AM MDT until March 11 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Tue March 10, 2026, 11:57 AM
Expires: Wed March 11, 2026, 12:00 PM

* WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory, snow expected. There is a likelihood of minor to moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 7 inches of additional snow. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. There is a likelihood of extreme winter storm impacts. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 7 inches in the lower elevations and 20 to 40 inches in the higher elevations including Marias Pass. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph. * WHERE...Bad Rock Canyon, Polebridge, Marias Pass, Glacier National Park, Essex, and Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake. * WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 6 PM MDT Wednesday. For the Winter Storm Warning, from 6 PM Wednesday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...For MAJOR winter weather impacts, expect considerable disruptions to normal activities. Dangerous or impossible traveling conditions. Avoid travel in the impacted areas if possible. Widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. For EXTREME winter storm impacts, expect substantial disruptions to normal activities. Extremely dangerous or impossible traveling conditions. Travel in the impacted areas is not advised. Extensive and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. Life saving actions may be needed. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes, especially over higher passes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Winter Storm Warning issued March 10 at 11:57AM MDT until March 14 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Tue March 10, 2026, 11:57 AM
Expires: Wed March 11, 2026, 12:00 PM

* WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory, snow expected. There is a likelihood of minor to moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 7 inches of additional snow. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. There is a likelihood of extreme winter storm impacts. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 7 inches in the lower elevations and 20 to 40 inches in the higher elevations including Marias Pass. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph. * WHERE...Bad Rock Canyon, Polebridge, Marias Pass, Glacier National Park, Essex, and Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake. * WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 6 PM MDT Wednesday. For the Winter Storm Warning, from 6 PM Wednesday to noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...For MAJOR winter weather impacts, expect considerable disruptions to normal activities. Dangerous or impossible traveling conditions. Avoid travel in the impacted areas if possible. Widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. For EXTREME winter storm impacts, expect substantial disruptions to normal activities. Extremely dangerous or impossible traveling conditions. Travel in the impacted areas is not advised. Extensive and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. Life saving actions may be needed. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes, especially over higher passes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.