SANDPOINT — The Panhandle Avalanche Center issued a special bulletin Monday warning against backcountry travel in steep terrain above 4,000 feet in Idaho and Montana.

The bulletin said heavy snow loading and strong winds is pushing the avalanche danger rating to "high."

"Recent heavy snow combined with wind will likely create widespread areas of unstable snow," the bulletin said.

The bulletin applies to the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains.

The avalanche danger was rated as high below, at and above the tree line on Sunday.

The avalanche center said there were several problematic aspects caused by heavy snowfall and strong southwest winds, which can create thick and sensitive slabs on leeward (north and east mountain aspects) terrain.

"Deep weak layers will be stressed by the addition of new weight loading the snowpack. The possibility of these weak layers 'waking up' to this new stress will be possible. Triggering a small slide may result in a 'step-down' avalanche on these deeper weak layers," IPAC's Ben Bernall said in Sunday's advisory.

The center is recommending backcountry visitors allow time for the snowpack to settle and avoid traveling in steep terrain below ridgelines and gullies.

The avalanche center's special bulletin is set to expire today.

The center notes that avalanches may run long distances and run into mature forests, valley floors or flat terrain.

Info: idahopanhandleavelanche.org