Changes made to Kootenai avalanche forecasts

The Western News

The Kootenai National forest will provide two avalanche forecasts this season.

One will be in the Whitefish Range which includes the Ten Lakes Area, and the other for areas west of Lake Koocanusa.

According to Kootenai Forest officials, the Whitefish Range has weather and terrain patterns more similar with the Flathead National Forest, and that forecast will be posted by Flathead Avalanche Center. Areas west of Lake Koocanusa has weather and terrain patterns more similar with the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and that forecast will be posted on the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center web page. The Kootenai National Forest avalanche specialist and volunteers will continue to provide field observations.

“These changes will improve our avalanche forecasts for the recreating public by aligning areas with similar terrain, weather patterns, and user groups,” stated Mary Laws, Kootenai National Forest recreation program manager. “In addition to field observations, the Kootenai will continue to provide avalanche and safety education across the entire forest.”

Both forecasts for the Kootenai National Forest will be available at www.avalanche.org.

For more information contact Ben Bernall at 406-295-4693 or bbernall@fs.fed.us