INTRODUCTION:
   This is Stan Bones with the backcountry avalanche advisory issued on
   Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at 5:00 AM by the U.S. Forest Service Glacier
   Country Avalanche Center for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai
   National Forest areas.

   HAZARD ANALYSIS

   Between 5,500' and 7,500' elevation during periods of thaw, the
   avalanche danger is currently rated CONSIDERABLE on south and west
   facing slopes and MODERATE on north and east aspects.  During times of
   surface refreeze the avalanche danger is rated LOW.  Below 5,500 '
   we're rating the avalanche danger LOW at all times.
   These danger ratings expire at midnight Tuesday, March 11th. The
   outlook is for the avalanche danger to remain unsettled through the
   week as new snowfall combines with warm daytime temperatures.
   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:
   This past week Northwestern Montana continued to be teased by spring
   like weather conditions.  Since last Wednesday the average daily air
   temperatures have steadily crept upward.  Daily average mountain temps
   that were hovering in the low 20's Wednesday progressively warmed so
   that by Sunday they had risen into the low 30's.  Then Monday under
   mostly clear skies, maximum temperatures were peaking well into the
   40's at many mountain locations.  Since last Wednesday our mountains
   have been mostly dry, with only trace amounts of new snow falling at a
   few scattered locations.  Winds during the period have generally been
   light to nil.

   SNOWPACK ANALYSIS:
   Our backcountry observations Sunday and Monday were in the upper Bond
   Creek area in the Swan Range E of the town of Swan Lake, in the Noisy
   Basin area also in the Swan Range NE of Bigfork, and in Kimmerly Basin
   in the southern Whitefish Range NW of Columbia Falls.  We had reports
   last Thursday and again on Saturday concerning skier triggered
   avalanches on northerly aspects in Noisy Basin.  On Sunday we observed
   snowmobile triggered avalanches in Kimmerly Basin, also on north facing
   slopes.

   In fracture line profiles of all these slides, we found the common weak
   layer to be the buried surface hoar that was laid down in mid
   February.  This is the weak layer we've been warning of over the last
   couple of weeks.  Now nearly 3 weeks old, it has subsequently and
   gradually been buried 10-18" deep by storms involving both new snowfall
   and wind deposition.  Often subjected to near melting temperatures
   since their creation, the surface hoar crystals have gained a fair bit
   of strength.  But now sufficiently stressed by both the snow loading
   and by shear stress as the overlying surface slab deforms and creeps in
   response to the recent warming temperatures, it only takes disturbance
   from a skier or snowmobiler to trigger a slide.  These slides are
   frequently occuring on very steep slopes in gladed locations.
   Avalanches in scattered trees pose a serious threat of trauma injury.

   In addition to the slab avalanching, we're also seeing loose snow
   instability as S and W facing surface snow weakens with mid afternoon
   solar warming.  Snow falling from trees or rock outcrops or just
   weakened snow on very steep slopes can trigger wet point release
   avalanches as the snow surface rapidly warms and looses strength.

   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:
   We're currently rating the avalanche danger between the elevations of
   5,500 and 7,500' as CONSIDERABLE on southerly and westerly facing
   slopes during periods of rapid thaw.   Unstable loose surface snow is
   probable with rapid solar warming.  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.

   Between 5,500 and 7,500 '  elevation on northerly and easterly facing
   slopes the avalanche danger is rated MODERATE during periods of thaw.
   Unstable slab layers are possible, on all steep terrain. Natural
   avalanches are unlikely, but human triggered avalanches remain
   possible.  Backcountry travelers should use caution, should always
   carry and know how ot use avalanche safety equipment, and expose no
   more than a single person at a time to any potential danger.  Watch,
   feel, and listen for signs of collapsing snow.

   Between 5,500 and 7,500' on all aspects during time of surface refreeze
   and below 5,500 ft. elevation at all times, we're rating the avalanche
   danger as LOW.  Generally stable snow exists with only isolated areas
   of instability.  Natural avalanches are very unlikely, while human
   triggered avalanches are unlikely.  Backcountry travel is generally
   safe, but normal caution is still advised on any steep slope.

   WEATHER FORECAST & AVALANCHE OUTLOOK:


   The weather forecast is for a disturbance and an associated cold front
   to brush our region Tuesday.  There is a chance of another wave of
   moisture Thursday.  Mountain rain and/or snow showers coupled with
   freezing and thawing temperatures and SW-W winds, should spell
   unsettled avalanche conditions this week.  Backcountry travelers will
   need to be alert for a variety of changing snow surface conditions.
   Snow Instability should remain concentrated in the surface 24" of
   snow.  The surface snow is currently in transition and needs time to
   significantly settle.
   The next regularly scheduled update of this advisory message will be
   Friday, March 14th.