INTRODUCTION:
   This is Tony Willits with the backcountry avalanche advisory issued by
   the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center at 7:00 AM,
   Friday, April 11th for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai
   National Forest areas.
   HAZARD ANALYSIS
   Between 5000' and 7000' of elevation we are rating the avalanche danger
   as MODERATE.
   Below 5000 feet of elevation the avalanche danger is currently being
   rated as LOW.
   These danger ratings expire at midnight, Friday, April 11th.  The
   avalanche danger will likely escalate especially on south and west
   aspects with the warming that is expected this 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.

   SNOWPACK ANALYSIS:
   Our backcountry observations Thursday were from Jewel Basin on the
   Flathead National Forest and from Whoopee-Hiatt Divide in the West
   Cabinets on the Kootenai National Forest.
   In the past 24 to 48 hours, storm/squall accumulations have been more
   on the moderate side in the Missions and Swan Ranges while elsewhere in
   the advisory area light to nil.  The cloudy, squally weather pattern
   has maintained soft surface layers quite well for this late season
   date.  Surface layers from 30 to 40 cms down, were the location of the
   weak interfaces but none were revealing clean or crisp shears.    Wind
   transport was apparent at ridge tops at least in the Swan Range.

   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:
   Between 5000 and 7000 feet of elevation, the avalanche danger is
   currently being rated as MODERATE  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:
   `

   An upper jet ahead of a building upper ridge will keep showers over the
   Inter Mountain West through Friday morning.  The jet will move off to
   the east as the ridge builds east Friday evening.  Warming under mainly
   clear skies will be the weather story for the weekend.

   Traveling over steep open terrain will require normal precautionary
   measures, although the risk will rise associated with significant
   warming and thawing this weekend.  South and west aspects will react
   with the expected thaw and will be locations to avoid as temperatures
   climb during the day.   Surface sluffs and roller ball activity could
   cause slopes to pull down into deeper buried weak interfaces creating
   natural avalanche activity.  Cornice failures over the next few days
   could at least test the shaded aspects if temperatures climb as
   expected.
   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.
   This is the last regular Glacier Country Avalanche Advisory for the
   2007-2008 winter season.  Special Advisories will be posted as per
   normal operations that an aggressive weather event develops. Thank you
   for your support of the Glacier Country Avalanche Center.