This is Tony Willits with the backcountry avalanche advisory issued by
   the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center at 8:00 AM,
   Tuesday, January 8th for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai
   National Forest areas.
   HAZARD ANALYSIS
   On the Flathead and Glacier portions of our region, between 5500 and
   7500 feet of elevation the avalanche danger is currently being rated
   as MODERATE.  Below 5000 feet of elevation the avalanche danger is
   currently being rated as LOW.
   On the Kootenai portion of our region, between 5500 and 7500 feet of
   elevation the avalanche danger is currently being rated as
   CONSIDERABLE, especially directed to wind loaded terrain.  Below 5000
   feet of elevation the avalanche danger is currently being rated as
   LOW.
   These danger ratings expire at midnight, Tuesday, January 8th.  The
   outlook is for the avalanche danger to possibly elevate if predicted
   winds and snow accumulates as forecasted.
   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 cooled since late Saturday, with overnight temps in
   the mid teens to low 20's.  Temperatures should stay seasonal in the
   next few days.  Snow accumulations were more in the moderate level, at
   least somewhat lower than forecasted, although Glacier Park and the
   Kootenai portions were probably more on track with the previously
   predicted snowfall accumulations in our last advisory.  Winds since
   Friday have declined but are expected to pick to at least moderate in
   the next 48 hours.

   SNOWPACK ANALYSIS:
   Our backcountry observations Monday were from Soup Creek drainage on
   the Flathead National Forest and Big Creek Baldy Mountain in the
   Purcells on the Kootenai National Forest.  The latest observation on
   the GCAC web page was recorded on Monday with observations in the
   Middle Fork.
   The new snow accumulations were variable with aspect and elevation.
   20 to 30 cms of new snow seemed to be an average across the region.
   Some rain crust was noted to have occurred in the Middle Fork and
   quite possibly in the Northern Swans, although a little further down
   the Swan's this rain crust was not noted at least above 5200 feet.
   Wind effects were variable with more instability noted in association
   with this wind transport in the Kootenai portion of our region than on
   wind loaded terrain  in the Middle Fork or Swan portion of our
   region.  Stress failures in the top 20 to 30 cms were of the easy
   variety but without clean or crisp interfaces.  Deeper in the snowpcak
   50 to 80 cms down from the surface, clean and crisp planes were
   released with more moderate forces.

   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:

   On the Flathead and Glacier portions of our region, between 5500 and
   7500 feet in elevation we are currently rating the avalanche danger as
   MODERATE ...unstable slab layers are possible on steep terrain.
   Natural avalanches are unlikely, while human triggered avalanches are
   possible. Backcountry travelers should use caution in steeper terrain
   on certain aspects.

   On the Kootenai portion of our region, between 5500 and 7500 feet in
   elevation we are currently rating the avalanche danger as
   CONSIDERABLE....unstable slab layers are probable on steep terrain
   especially on windloaded 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.

   Across our region, 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:
   `
   Moderate snow accumulations will be possible Tuesday through Wednesday
   as an upper level trough moves through the northern Rockies.  Snow
   ratios will be low Tuesday evening as snowfall will be in the warm
   sector of the system.  Overnight Tuesday into Wednesday the brunt of
   the system will bring more impressive snow fall  amounts in the higher
   terrain of Western Montana.  Another system will move into Western
   Montana on Thursday, bringing another chance for snow accumulations.

   Wind loaded terrain, wherever you find it and plan to ski it or travel
   upon it, is worth further site specific observations but isn't this
   true of any terrain you plan to play upon.  Anchoring above 6000 feet
   is disappearing and snow interfaces within the snowpack are quit
   variable with elevation, aspect, and slope steepness.  Currently the
   snow is still incoming so pay particular attention to previous weather
   events specific to the area you plan to visit.
   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 Friday, January 11th, 2008.