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 29th for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai
   National Forest areas.
   HAZARD ANALYSIS
   Between 5000 and 7000 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.
   These danger ratings expire at midnight, Friday, February 29th.  The
   potential is for the avalanche danger to escalate with new snow coupled
   with increasing winds over the weekend.
   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:
   A light surge of new snow accumulations arrived on Thursday at most
   sites.  Most sites received up to .4 of an inch of snow water
   equivalent.  Temperatures have remained on the mild side but at least
   refreezing at night with temps into the mid to low twenties. Winds were
   light to moderate at ridge tops on Thursday.

   SNOWPACK ANALYSIS:
   Our backcountry observations Thursday were from the Noisy Basin on the
   Flathead National Forest and Burnt Peak in the West Cabinets on the
   Kootenai National Forest.
   The ten day drought trend may be interrupted with some new snow
   accumulations.  This change started yesterday with rain in the valley
   grading into snow with elevation gain.  The light amounts of new snow
   now overlay hard crusts, some near surface facets or surface hoar.
   Instability in the snowpack is primarily associated with the surface 20
   to 30 cms. with recent snow and grauppel layers. Interfaces in these
   surface layers were reacting with easy forces but ragged shear planes.
   Below these surface layers settlement with crusts and melt freeze
   layers are solidifying columns which were revealed during stress
   tests.

   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:
   Between 5000 and 7000 feet in elevation we are currently rating the
   avalanche danger as MODERATE where 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.

   Below 5000 feet of elevation the avalanche danger is currently being
   rated as  LOW where 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:
   `
   High pressure and a warmer air mass will temporarily build over the
   region Friday.  A vigorous Pacific weather system and cold front will
   impact the region late Friday night through Saturday.  High pressure
   will gradually return Sunday.

   The lag in snow delivery in the last ten days is about to change at
   least for a brief period.  This new change could reflect some
   increasing signs of instability by Saturday or early Sunday.  As
   mentioned in recent past advisories near surface facets and surface
   hoar has been observed over surface layers that now with new snow will
   bury these and  provide weak interfaces.  In addition, although new
   snow fall is not expected to exceed  the moderate scale, wind loading
   could tip the scales at or near ridge tops and harbor a stronger
   potential for triggered releases.  Use caution in approaching steep
   open terrain in the next few days, especially where associated with
   terrain traps.  Pit investigations will reveal weak interfaces and
   should be employed to determine snowpack stability.

   Please note that this avalanche advisory is our best interpretation of
   snowpack 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, March 4th, 2008.