This is Tony Willits with the backcountry avalanche advisory issued by
   the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center at 8:00 AM,
   Friday, January 4th for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai
   National Forest areas.
   HAZARD ANALYSIS
   Between 5500 and 7500 feet of elevation the avalanche danger is
   currently being rated as CONSIDERABLE.  Below 5000 feet of elevation
   the avalanche danger is currently being rated as LOW.
   These danger ratings expire at midnight, Friday, January 4th.  The
   outlook for the avalanche danger could elevate depending on the total
   snowfall accumulation and/or the significance of the predicted wind
   loading in the next 24 to 36 hours.
   Because of the general nature of this advisory message, each
   backcountry party will always need to make their own time and site
   specific avalanche hazard evaluations.
   WEATHER ANALYSIS:
   Temperatures have warmed since New Year's Day from the mid teens to
   just below freezing at most locations.  This warming was coupled with
   gains ranging from .5 to 1.0 inches of snow water equivalent  at most
   locations in the last 48 hours.  The Cabinets, Whitefish Divide and
   Middle Fork Corridor reaped more snow accumulations (20 to 30 cms)
   than did the Swan's and Missions.  Winds were picking up late Thursday
   afternoon along most ridge tops especially in the Middle Fork
   Corridor.

   SNOWPACK ANALYSIS:
   Our backcountry observations Thursday were from the eastern portion of
   Smokey Divide on the Flathead National Forest, Rattle Mountain in the
   West Cabinets on the Kootenai National Forest and near Marias Pass in
   Glacier National Park.  The latest observation on the GCAC web page
   was recorded Tuesday, New Year's Day.
   Instability in the surface 50 to 60 cms of the snowpack exists in our
   region.  A surface soft slab from 20 to 30 cms, slightly more dense in
   water content, exists over a dryer and less cohesive layer.  Stress
   tests were revealing easy failures but not clean or crisp when
   releasing with the interface below this soft slab.  Of  more concern
   were clean and crisp shear planes with moderate forces down 50 to 60
   cms.  This interface could start to react more with subsequent loading
   either from new snow accumulations or wind transport.  Point releases
   were observed in the Middle Fork Corridor but no larger scale
   avalanche activity was noted. Snow plumes were observed in the Middle
   Fork where wind slabs were likely building.

   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:

   Between 5500 and 7500 feet in elevation we are currently rating the
   avalanche danger as CONSIDERABLE ...unstable slab layers are
   probable on steep terrain. Natural avalanches are possible, while
   human triggered avalanches are probable. Backcountry travelers should
   be very cautious in steeper terrain. Be aware of potentially dangerous
   areas of unstable snow.

   Below 5000 feet of elevation the avalanche danger is currently being
   rated as LOW...  snow is generally stable with only isolated areas of
   instability. Natural avalanches are very unlikely, while human
   triggered avalanches are unlikely. Backcountry travel is generally
   safe. Normal caution is advised.
   WEATHER FORECAST & AVALANCHE OUTLOOK:
   `
   An upper level trough will move into the region Friday bringing
   accumulating snows and gusty winds to the higher mountainous terrain.
   Snow levels will initially begin relatively high around 4500 feet
   before dropping to the deck by Saturday .  Cooler temperatures and
   showery conditions will prevail  Saturday and Sunday.  For the latest
   "Winter Watches", warnings and advisories please see
   "Weather.Gov/Missoula", this backcountry weather forecast is issued
   only once a day generally between 1400 and 1600 hours..
   The new snow will encourage all who roam the backcountry to get out
   for recreation.  The next 24 to 36 hours of weather should be a time
   to reevaluate where travel on steep terrain occurs.  Forecasted winds
   will transport snow readily since there is an abundance of soft snow.
   Winds will load north and east aspects depending on local wind
   effects.  The new snow in the next 12 to 24 hours could be of the
   heavier  variety if all goes as forecasted.  New snow with a higher
   water content will amplify stress on the buried weaker colder layers
   and steep open terrain or convex rolls will be areas to avoid.  Seek
   lower angle slopes less than 30 degrees or sheltered areas from winds
   to avoid steep and open or windloaded terrain.

   Please note that this avalanche advisory is our best interpretation of
   snow pack conditions and National Weather Service forecasts on the day
   the advisory is issued. Unanticipated weather changes such as wind, a
   marked temperature increase, or precipitation beyond forecast amounts
   can increase the avalanche danger. Local variations may also exist.
   The next avalanche advisory will be on Tuesday, January 9th, 2008.