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, January 3rd, 2006, for the Glacier Park and Flathead and
   Kootenai National Forest areas.

                              HAZARD ANALYSIS

   Between 5,500 and 7,500 feet in elevation, the avalanche hazard is
   being rated as MODERATE on steep, open slopes lacking vegetative and
   terrain anchors. Below 5,500 feet in elevation the avalanche danger is
   being rated as LOW.

   These danger ratings expire at midnight, Tuesday, January 3rd, 2006.
   The outlook Wednesday through Thursday is for the avalanche hazard to
   remain near the current levels.

   Because of the general nature of this advisory message, each back
   country party needs to make their own time and site-specific avalanche
   hazard evaluations.

   WEATHER ANALYSIS: 
   
   In the past 48 hours most sites have averaged .5 inches of snow water
   equivalent (SWE) with the exception of Noisy which picked up 1.2
   inches of SWE. Temperatures continue to be on the warm side with most
   sites in the upper twenties to low thirties. Winds speeds have been
   light to moderate.
   
   SNOW PACK ANALYSIS: 
   
   Our backcountry observations Thursday were in Noisy Basin and Canyon
   Creek on the Flathead National Forest. 

   Light amounts of snow continue to fall over the region and with the
   mild temperatures, overall bonding with the more recent snow fall
   accumulations has been good. The Northern Swan Range continues to
   receive greater snowfall accumulations than other areas with 50 to 60
   cms in the Noisy Basin area overlaying a melt freeze crust. Since
   Thursday several small slides occurred within Noisy Basin which have
   since been buried and only four to six inches of the fracture faces
   still showing. Observations on one of these slides indicated a 40 cm
   fracture although after releasing appeared to only traveled 200 to 400
   feet. Stress tests were showing some pretty good bonding within the
   snow delivered in the past week and the weakest interface is still
   associated with the pre-Thanksgiving melt freeze crusts.
   
   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:
   
   Between the elevations of 5,500 and 7,500 feet in elevation we are
   currently rating the avalanche danger 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. Backcountry
   travelers need to evaluate snow stability before traveling on or
   beneath any steep, open slope above 5,500 feet lacking vegetative or
   terrain anchors.
   
   Below 5,500 feet in elevation we are rating the avalanche danger as
   LOW. Snow there is mostly shallow, well anchored, and 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:
   
   The back edge of the upper level trough that moved into our area
   Monday is now over Libby. Unstable weather will continue through today
   with some mountain snow showers lingering. The next trough will move
   through our area Wednesday morning with localized mountain snow
   showers. Winds will be light to moderate with winds westerly on ridge
   tops and southwesterly on front slope locations.

   The warm temperatures and more dense snow pack seem to be allowing
   wide use for riding and skiing. Watch for areas with increased amounts
   of loading with new snow accumulations and/or wind loading. These
   areas always require pit investigations to determine variations from
   what seems to be the norm.
   
   The next regularly scheduled update of this advisory message will be
   on Friday, January 6th, 2006.

   Please note that this avalanche advisory is our best interpretation of
   snow pack 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.