INTRODUCTION:
   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, March 7th 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 CONSIDERABLE during periods of thaw and
   MODERATE when refreezing is reestablished.. Below 5000 feet of
   elevation the avalanche danger is currently being rated as LOW.
   These danger ratings expire at midnight, Friday, March 7th.  The
   avalanche danger should remain at current levels through 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:
   Most sites received only light gains of snow water equivalent (SWE)
   since Tuesday with the exception of those sites in the Missons and Swan
   Range.  The storm arriving early Tuesday and into Wednesday added at
   least 1.5 inches of  SWE along the Swan Crest and Misson Ranges.  Sunny
   skies appeared again on Thursday and temperatures rebounded coupled
   with the solar rays.  Temperatures climbed during the day Thursday but
   dipped into the twenties last night. Winds were light to moderate at
   ridge tops on Thursday.

   SNOWPACK ANALYSIS:
   Our backcountry observations Thursday were from the Goat Creek drainage
   on the Flathead National Forest, from Smith Mountain in the West
   Cabinets on the Kootenai National Forest and observations were reported
   from the Snowmobile Rangers while in the Lost Johnny and Strawberry
   Lakes vicinities.
   Reports from around the region were of mostly thawing and settling.
   The surface 20 to 50 cms is revealing some easy failures on clean crisp
   interfaces.  Below the surface 50 cms, layers are settling and
   consolidating.  The concern is two fold. The first is unstable isolated
   pockets overlying previously established weak interfaces and were wind
   loaded again on Monday which could be artificially triggered.  The
   second concern is the new snow fall coupled with thawing/warming.  This
   event occurred on Thursday and triggered natural releases around Lost
   Johnny and in the Strawberry Lakes areas. New snow coupled with rapid
   warming on Thursday were the two ingredients creating natural releases
   on all aspects in the areas mentioned.  The time of clear skies and
   colder temps in the latter part of February, created either hard
   crusts, surface hoar or near surface facets and is now being overloaded
   in some locations.

   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:
   During periods of rapid warming and thaw, between 5000 and 7000 feet in
   elevation we are currently rating the avalanche danger as CONSIDERABLE
   where 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 during
   periods of thaw and is not just related to west and south aspects but
   all aspects. Be aware of potentially dangerous areas of unstable snow.

   During periods of refreezing, 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 especially on previously wind
   loaded aspects.. 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:
   `
   A weak upper level wave Friday will be followed by another stronger
   Pacific System Friday night and Saturday.  The second system is
   expected to bring light accumulations through Saturday evening.  A high
   pressure ridge will build in for the rest of the weekend for slight
   warming and dry conditions.

   Things have changed since last Friday.  Be observant for wind loaded
   pockets that caught a few people, snowmobilers and skiers, alike last
   weekend.  The strong winds on slopes and ridge tops on Monday coupled
   with the more significant snowfall at least in some locations should be
   investigated and avoided.  As well, when new or recent snowfall has
   exceeded the 25 to 30 cm mark in the locations you are traveling upon
   investigate for those weak interfaces mentioned that are waiting for
   the next trigger whether natural or man caused.  Warming/thawing
   periods could occur intermittently over the weekend and early next
   week, which will be times when low angle sheltered terrain should be
   sought.

   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 11th, 2008.