INTRODUCTION:
   This is Tony Willits with the backcountry avalanche advisory issued by
   the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center at 7:00 AM,
   Friday, February 1st for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai
   National Forest areas.
   HAZARD ANALYSIS
   The avalanche danger is currently being rated as HIGH and is for all
   of the mountain ranges of Northwestern Montana.  This hazard
   evaluation is due to heavy snow accumulations since Tuesday coupled
   with the predicted weather forecast in the coming 24 hour period.
   These danger ratings expire at midnight, Friday, February 1st.  The
   expectation is for the avalanche danger to stay at current levels
   through the weekend.
   Snow accumulations have been on a steady gain since Tuesday.  Snowfall
   accumulations have been variable but the range of  gain in snow water
   equivalent (SWE) has been  from 1 to 4 inches of SWE.  This equates to
   unstable conditions not to mention very arduous trail breaking
   conditions. Steep terrain is poised with heavy new accumulations and
   field observations are indicating easy shear layers within the top 60
   to 70 centimeters.  This alone is enough to back off and let things
   settle out for the next few days but the weather forecast is
   predicting yet more snow and at least moderate winds over the next 24
   hour period and for moderate winds through the weekend.
   Because of new snow and winds unstable slab layers are likely on steep
   open slopes in all of the mountainous areas of Northwestern Montana.
   Both natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in
   avalanche terrain should be avoided.
   The weather forecast if for another round of significant snowfall to
   occur Friday as a weather disturbance moves in from the west.  The
   region will remain under an unsettled weather pattern through the
   weekend as  weak disturbances  move through with the westerly flow
   each day.  Backcountry travelers need to remain alert and avoid travel
   in avalanche terrain until current weather conditions slack and snow
   conditions stabilize.
   The next avalanche advisory will be on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008..