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 Warning issued March 13 at 7:59AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Non-Weather Emergency Message. Not sent to IPAWS.

Effective: Fri March 13, 2026, 7:59 AM
Expires: Sat March 14, 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 Fri Mar 13 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 Friday 7 AM PST to Saturday 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 Saturday 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 Fri 07:00 PDT to Sat 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. Winds are subsiding considerably on Friday, however the sustained moderate to heavy snowfall is being measured in multiple feet at higher elevations. The recent 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. * 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 the 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 13 at 7:54AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Non-Weather Emergency Message. Not sent to IPAWS.

Effective: Fri March 13, 2026, 7:54 AM
Expires: Sat March 14, 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 Fri Mar 13 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 Friday 7 AM PST to Saturday 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 Saturday 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 Fri 07:00 PDT to Sat 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. Winds are subsiding considerably on Friday, however the sustained moderate to heavy snowfall is being measured in multiple feet at higher elevations. The recent 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. * 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 the 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 13 at 6:24AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Non-Weather Emergency Message. Not sent to IPAWS.

Effective: Fri March 13, 2026, 6:24 AM
Expires: Sat March 14, 2026, 6:00 AM

AVWMSO The following message is transmitted at the request of Flathead Avalanche Center Hungry Horse MT. ...AVALANCHE WARNING ISSUED BY THE FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER... 06:00 MDT Fri Mar 13 2026 The Flathead Avalanche Center in Hungry Horse has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING for the following areas: NWS Missoula MT - MTZ002 (MTZ002) * WHAT...Feet of new snow and strong winds over the past few days, combined with continued snowfall today, are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. * WHERE...Slopes above 5000 feet in the Flathead Range and in the Lake McDonald and Marias Pass areas of Glacier National Park. * WHEN...In effect from Fri 06:00 MDT to Sat 06:00 MDT. * IMPACTS...Natural and human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Avalanches will release in the surface snow and on weak layers buried several feet deep, resulting in large to very large avalanches. * PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions. 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.

Winter Storm Warning issued March 13 at 5:37AM MDT until March 14 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

Effective: Fri March 13, 2026, 5:37 AM
Expires: Sat March 14, 2026, 5:45 AM

* WHAT...Heavy snow. There is the likelihood of ongoing major winter weather impacts. Additional snow accumulations between 3 and 12 inches. * WHERE...Bad Rock Canyon, Marias Pass, Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake, Essex, Polebridge, and Glacier National Park. * WHEN...Until noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. 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 morning and evening commutes, especially over higher passes.

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 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.