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,
   Tuesday, March 25th for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai
   National Forest areas.
   HAZARD ANALYSIS
   On northerly aspects, within the Flathead and Glacier Park areas,
   between 5000 and 7000 feet of elevation, the avalanche danger is
   currently being rated as CONSIDERABLE.
   Between 5000 and 7000 feet of elevation, the avalanche danger is
   currently being rated as MODERATE on all other aspects within the
   Flathead and Glacier Park areas and mountain ranges within the Kootenai
   National Forest.
   Below 5000 feet of elevation the avalanche danger is currently being
   rated as LOW.
   These danger ratings expire at midnight, Tuesday, March 25th.  The
   avalanche danger should remain at current levels through the next few
   days.
   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:
   No new gains in snow water equivalent in the past 24 hours.  Overnight
   temperatures ranged from the mid teens to just below zero at the
   electronic sites.  Winds were moderate by yesterday afternoon at ridge
   tops from the W/SW.

   SNOWPACK ANALYSIS:
   Our backcountry observations Monday were from north of Inspiration Pass
   on the Flathead National Forest and from the Bear Creek Basin in the
   East Cabinets on the Kootenai National Forest.
   The solar influence on Saturday effected south and west aspects with
   roller ball activity and near surface percolation which was evident on
   Monday's field obs.  Shaded and below treeline terrain kept modified
   soft snow.  With the colder temps the northerly aspects are still
   maintaining buried surface hoar deposits and remains to be our area of
   primary concern.  The hard north facing aspects are harboring this
   persistent weak layer longer with a more typical winter weather pattern
   not seen in our area in the past 4 or 5 years.  Wind loading at upper
   elevation ridge tops and predicted new snow in the next few days will
   potentially add overlying stress to this weak layer.

   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:
   On northerly aspects within the Flathead and Glacier Park areas,
   between 5000 and 7000 feet of elevation, the avalanche danger is
   currently being rated as CONSIDERABLE where unstable slab layers are
   probable northerly aspects. This is due to a persistent weak layer of
   buried surface hoar which continues to linger on in our snowpack.
   Natural avalanches are possible, while human triggered avalanches are
   probable. Backcountry travelers should be very cautious on this aspect.
   Be aware of potentially dangerous areas of unstable snow.

   On all other aspects within the Flathead and Glacier Park areas and
   mountain ranges within the Kootenai National Forest, between 5000 and
   7000 feet of elevation, the avalanche danger is currently being rated
   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, 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:
   `
   Westerly winds aloft will continue through Tuesday night bringing cool
   conditions with scattered mountain showers with little snowfall
   accumulation expected. Wednesday through Wednesday evening a weather
   disturbance will move across Western Montana bringing moderate snowfall
   accumulations in the mountains.  Cool and unsettled showery conditions
   will prevail through the end of the week.

   The next system to arrive on Wednesday with new snow and moderate winds
   could overload the more fragile northerly aspects.  Additional loading
   in the next few days with an artificial force to trigger a slide is
   probable on north aspects. If you are going to assume and not confirm,
   assume that these steep north aspects will harbor these buried weak
   interface and should be avoided.  Any time is a good time to dig a snow
   pit to confirm the presence of weak interfaces before traveling over a
   segment of terrain and now is the time.

   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.
   Anyone who wishes to improve proficiency  with transceivers should
   check out the Beacon Training Center at The Summit of Big Mountain.  A
   control panel allows individuals to build scenario's with previously
   buried transceivers in various configurations to test your skills in
   locating them. This cooperative effort by Glacier Country Avalanche
   Center, their funding partners, the U.S. Forest Service and with
   additional help from the Big Mountain Ski Patrol has provided another
   tool for avalanche education.
   The next avalanche advisory will be on Friday, March 28th, 2008.