Damaging winds, snow on tap for NW Montana

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning from midnight Thursday through 6 p.m.

Forecasters are predicting southwest winds from 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 70 mph in the Kootenai/Cabinet region.

Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

The service recommends people 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.

Forecasters are also predicting snow through Sunday with overnight low temperatures ranging from the mid teens to the highs in the low 40s.

The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center in Sandpoint has issued a backcountry avalanche watch for the Selkirk, West and East Cabinet, Purcell and Bitterroot mountain ranges above 4,000 feet.

An atmospheric river and violent jet stream join forces to deliver moderate to heavy snowfall and strong to extreme winds. 

Snowfall is expected to be measured in feet not inches and the new snow will form dangerous slabs of snow and may cause a widespread cycle of avalanches large enough to bury, injure or kill a person. It will become very easy for backcountry travelers to trigger them.

Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended during this period.