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, March 14th 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 significant
   thaw (with rain or temps >40 degrees)  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 14th.  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:
   Only light gains of snow water equivalent since Tuesday with modest
   melt freeze cycles . Winds did transport a little snow on Tuesday but
   only light amounts were available to transport, winds were light on
   Thursday.

   SNOWPACK ANALYSIS:
   Our backcountry observations Thursday were from the Werner Drainage on
   the Flathead National Forest and from Cable Creek Basin in the East
   Cabinets on the Kootenai National Forest.
   Cooler is relative but it still works to allow the snowpack to harbor
   near surface instabilities even on southerly aspects. Observations on
   Thursday reflected indications of decomposing surface hoar and faceted
   layers on these southerly exposures.  Specific to these solar aspects,
   these layers are not significant at present but could be with
   additional snowfall, that it occurs.  The exception would be during
   periods of thaw especially when temperatures exceed 40 degrees.
   Natural wet slab releases on southerly aspects were reported occurring
   last Monday with the solid warming that day and could likely occur
   again dependent on those types of thaw cycles.  Shaded aspects with
   north in them are still preserving buried surface hoar layers down as
   deep as 60 cms.  These layers are definitely worth investigation prior
   to venturing upon since they were easily triggering clean shears in pit
   stress tests. As recognized in previous advisories these buried surface
   hoar layers are not everywhere which makes it all the more important to
   verify if it is anywhere you plan to travel.

   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:
   During periods of significant thaw (with rain or temps >40 degrees),
   between 5000 and 7000 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 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,  unstable
   slab layers are possible on steep terrain especially on shaded 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, 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:
   `
   Friday through the weekend will be a hit and miss period for snow
   accumulation as the character of precipitation will generally be
   scattered to occasionally widespread snow showers.  This is due to
   abundant instability and moisture but only light large scale lifting
   under the slow moving trough.  Accumulations are not predicted to be
   significant.

   With some light new snow and predicted freezing temperatures, at least
   at night, conditions could seem moderate for the weekend.  The caution
   would be for those northerly aspects  that are still holding on to
   buried surface hoar layers. If you are going to assume and not confirm,
   assume that these shaded aspects, on steep open terrain, will harbor
   these buried instabilities and should be avoided.

   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 18th, 2008.