Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Weather
East and abeam around Kalispell MT we were cruising at FL330 with light chop and occasional moderate. We heard another aircraft on our Center FREQ report better rides at FL320. So we decided to request FL310. We had our request granted and the FO (PF) began a slow descent around 500-600 fpm. I would like to preface this by saying we had already asked the FAs at this time to stow the galley carts and be seated prior to the descent due to the occasional moderate at FL330.  In the descent as we reached FL320 we encountered the beginning of the severe turbulence. The aircraft shook violently with our airspeed going +/- 20-30 kts at times. PLIs were appearing on our attitude indicator and the VSI was going up and down +/- 300-500 fpm.  Once I could actually get my arm stable enough to reach a PTT switch I reported it to ATC all the meanwhile we were still descending towards FL310.  ATC asked if there was any A/C damage or injuries. I told them to standby as we were still in the middle of experiencing all this. Level at 310 the turbulence did not stop. I immediately asked for a climb higher to which we were initially assigned block FL310-FL330 again. We began our climb and I told ATC that we wanted FL350. The severe continued again through FL320 with the same symptoms as mentioned above. Finally climbing through FL320 it was back to just moderate and as we got to FL350 it was just continuous light chop.  I finally had the time to call back and make sure everyone was ok. FAs reported that they were both ok and just had some spilled liquids in the galley but no damage; and that all the PAX were ok as well. I then notified ATC of no damage or injuries. Made a PIREP with ATC as well as notified our Dispatcher via ACARS of the encounter.  Rest of the flight was uneventful. On the ground I contacted Dispatch; as well as Maintenance for the required severe turbulence aircraft inspection write up; and I also was connected with the on-duty chief pilot to report the event as outlined in the FOM.
EMB-175 reported encountering severe turbulence in the vicinity of FCA VOR at FL320.