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

Winter Storm Warning issued March 13 at 1:38PM MDT until March 14 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Fri March 13, 2026, 1:38 PM
Expires: Sat March 14, 2026, 12:00 PM

* WHAT...Heavy snow. There is a chance of developing or ongoing major winter weather impacts. Additional snow accumulations between 2 and 8 inches. * WHERE...Essex, Polebridge, Marias Pass, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake, Glacier National Park, and Bad Rock Canyon. * WHEN...Until 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. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening and Saturday morning commute, especially over higher passes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Intense snow squalls are expected Saturday morning through afternoon causing periods of very heavy snow, gusty winds, and icy conditions.

Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded.

Winter Weather Advisory issued March 13 at 1:38PM MDT until March 14 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Fri March 13, 2026, 1:38 PM
Expires: Sat March 14, 2026, 6:00 PM

* WHAT...Snow expected. There is a likelihood of moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Flathead Valley, Mission Valley, Flathead Lake, and Polson. * WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 6 PM MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...For MODERATE winter weather impacts, expect disruptions to normal activities. Hazardous traveling conditions. Use extra caution while driving. Closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Overnight accumulations range from 1 to 3 inches. Intense snow squall are expected Saturday morning through afternoon causing periods of very heavy snow, gusty winds, and icy conditions.

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 Weather Advisory issued March 14 at 11:03AM MDT until March 14 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Sat March 14, 2026, 11:03 AM
Expires: Sat March 14, 2026, 6:00 PM

* WHAT...Snow. There is a likelihood of developing or ongoing moderate winter weather impacts. Additional snow accumulations up to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Flathead Valley, Polson, Mission Valley, and Flathead Lake. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...For MODERATE winter weather impacts, expect disruptions to normal activities. Hazardous traveling conditions. Use extra caution while driving. Closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. Wet, heavy snow, and winds could cause tree damage. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Intense snow squall are expected this afternoon causing periods of very heavy snow, gusty winds, and icy conditions, especially in the Mission Valley.

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.

Avalanche Warning issued March 14 at 7:54AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Non-Weather Emergency Message. Not sent to IPAWS.

Effective: Sat March 14, 2026, 7:54 AM
Expires: Sun March 15, 2026, 8:00 AM

AVWMSO The following message is transmitted at the request of Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center Sandpoint ID. ...AVALANCHE WARNING ISSUED BY THE IDAHO PANHANDLE AVALANCHE CENTER... 07:00 PDT Sat Mar 14 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 079 (Shoshone County) * WHAT...An Avalanche Warning is in effect from Saturday 7 AM PDT to Sunday 7 AM PDT. Very dangerous avalanche conditions developed Wednesday night from heavy snowfall and strong to extreme winds, and these hazardous conditions are lasting through Sunday due to continued heavy snowfall in specific locations and sustained winds strong enough to transport the abundant new snow. A person's weight or a rider on a machine can very easily trigger avalanches large enough to bury or kill them, and some slides will release naturally. * WHERE...The Bitterroot Mountains - Silver Valley and the East Cabinet Mountains above 4,000 feet. * WHEN...In effect from Sat 07:00 PDT to Sun 07:00 PDT. * IMPACTS...An atmospheric river and violent jet stream joined forces to deliver heavy snowfall and strong to extreme winds to the Inland Northwest. Wind speeds peaked on Wednesday night and have subsided considerably since then, however an uptick is expected on Saturday with gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph possible. The sustained moderate to heavy snowfall is being measured in multiple feet at higher elevations and winds are forecasted to remain strong enough to cause significant transport and redistribution of snow. The recent snowfall 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. * PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the mountains and widespread areas of unstable snow are expected. The largest slides may run long distances and can run into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain. Travel in or near avalanche terrain is not recommended and should be avoided during this period of significant instability. 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.

Avalanche Warning issued March 14 at 7:49AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Non-Weather Emergency Message. Not sent to IPAWS.

Effective: Sat March 14, 2026, 7:49 AM
Expires: Sun March 15, 2026, 8:00 AM

AVWMSO The following message is transmitted at the request of Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center Sandpoint ID. ...AVALANCHE WARNING ISSUED BY THE IDAHO PANHANDLE AVALANCHE CENTER... 07:00 PDT Sat Mar 14 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 079 (Shoshone County) * WHAT...An Avalanche Warning is in effect from Saturday 7 AM PST to Sunday 7 AM PST. Very dangerous avalanche conditions developed Wednesday night from heavy snowfall and strong to extreme winds, and these hazardous conditions are lasting through Sunday due to continued heavy snowfall in specific locations and sustained winds strong enough to transport the abundant new snow. A person's weight or a rider on a machine can very easily trigger avalanches large enough to bury or kill them, and some slides will release naturally. * WHERE...The Bitterroot Mountains - Silver Valley and the East Cabinet Mountains above 4,000 feet. * WHEN...In effect from Sat 07:00 PDT to Sun 07:00 PDT. * IMPACTS...An atmospheric river and violent jet stream joined forces to deliver heavy snowfall and strong to extreme winds to the Inland Northwest. Wind speeds peaked on Wednesday night and have subsided considerably since then, however an uptick is expected on Saturday with gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph possible. The sustained moderate to heavy snowfall is being measured in multiple feet at higher elevations and winds are forecasted to remain strong enough to cause significant transport and redistribution of snow. The recent snowfall 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. * PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the mountains and widespread areas of unstable snow are expected. The largest slides may run long distances and can run into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain. Travel in or near avalanche terrain is not recommended and should be avoided during this period of significant instability. 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.