INTRODUCTION:
   This is Tony Willits with the backcountry avalanche advisory issued by
   the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center at 7:30 AM,
   Friday, February 8th for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai
   National Forest areas.
   HAZARD ANALYSIS
   Between 5000 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, February 8th.  The
   outlook is for the avalanche danger to possibly elevate by Sunday
   depending on snow accumulations and wind loading as predicted in
   today's weather.
   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 stayed consistent until yesterday when a slight warming
   trend occurred but are well within seasonal norms across the region.
   All sites gained from .4 to .8 of an inch of snow water equivalent in
   the last 24 hours.    Winds have been modest to strong especially at
   ridge tops yesterday and overnight..

   SNOWPACK ANALYSIS:
   Our backcountry observations Thursday were from Noisy Basin on the
   Flathead National Forest.
   Winds were transporting snow yesterday and likely will continue to do
   so as new snow and winds are predicted through Saturday.  Wind slabs
   were apparent across the snowscape with prevailing west to southwest
   winds loading east and north aspects.  These wind slabs are also
   dependent on local topography which could influence cross loading.
   Soft slabs and wind slabs were releasing with easy stresses and 24 cm
   slabs were triggered during stress tests.  These weak layers were
   associated with slightly inverted surface layers (warmer over colder
   or more dense over less dense) and with the interface over the
   previous wind event less than two weeks ago.

   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:
   Between 5000 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:
   `
   A very moist northwesterly flow will continue over the region through
   Saturday morning.  As this moist flow and series of disturbances move
   across the higher terrain, considerable orographic enhancement of the
   snow will occur.  In addition it appears some colder Arctic air will
   temporarily move over the Divide into Northwest Montana late Friday
   and early Saturday which  may push this colder surface air further
   south.  Expect  the air mass  to slowly moderate through Saturday.  A
   milder but still moist westerly flow is expected to develop by Sunday.

   Expect the snowpack to change with aspect and  elevation with the
   prediction of winds and heavier snow accumulations with the orographic
   influences to the snowfall.  Wind loading will be the watch word in
   the next 24 hour period.  The surface 50 to 60 centimeters needs to be
   inspected to determine if slab conditions exist and for any weak
   layers they may interface.    Not only do parties need to watch for
   wind slabs but for other persistent layers, that may be lurking over
   the previous wind event 10 days ago.  As well, especially  on shallow
   snowpacks, checkout the deep pack instability or the early December
   rain crust. As snow fall accumulations increase and loading is
   amplified by wind loading think that the avalanche hazard can increase
   and local variations may exist.
   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, February 11th, 2008.