This is Stan Bones with the backcountry avalanche advisory issued by
   the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Country Avalanche Center at Friday,
   January 11, 2008, for the Glacier Park and Flathead and Kootenai
   National Forest areas.

                              HAZARD ANALYSIS

   Between 5,500' and 7,500' elevation the avalanche danger is currently
   rated CONSIDERABLE, particularly on those avalanche slopes that
   recently received significant amounts of precipitated and wind loaded
   snow.  Below 5,500' we're rating the avalanche danger LOW.
   These danger ratings expire at midnight Friday, January 11th. The
   outlook is for the avalanche danger to lessen this weekend with drying
   weather conditions.
   
   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: 
   
   Since Monday many of the mountain ranges of NW Montana have received a
   fair bit of new snowfall from a series of storm fronts that were
   strongest across the S portion of the region.  Over four days Noisy
   Basin in the N Swan picked up over 2.5" of snow water equivalent (SWE)
   in 15-20" of new snow deposition.  Moss Peak and the North Fork of
   Jocko Cr. further south in the Missions, along with Poorman Creek in
   the E Cabinets on the Kootenai, received a bit less at around 1.75" of
   SWE in 10-15" of new snowfall.  The Purcells and the N portions of the
   Whitefish Range along our N tier received significantly less at around
   0.5" of SWE in approx. 6" of new snow.

   Mountain air temperatures began the period Monday in the upper teens
   or low 20's F.  Tuesday night saw a warming up into the mid 20's,
   followed by a roller coaster cold front cooling Wednesday afternoon
   back into the teens and another warming ending Thursday night 10-15
   degrees higher in the upper 20's.  Often the storm activity this week
   was accompanied by modest W'erly winds at the peak and ridge top
   elevations.

   SNOWPACK ANALYSIS: 
   
   Our backcountry observations Thursday were on Meadow Peak, NE of the
   Thompson Lakes on the Kootenai and in Noisy Basin in the N Swan Range
   NE of Bigfork.  On Wednesday we received an observation from the
   Middle Fork region near Essex.

   In our snowpit investigations we were finding instability associated
   with the recent deep snowfall and the wind and warming effects
   modifying it.  The cycling up and down of air temperature and wind
   with each passing storm front has created varying density and strength
   layering in the near surface snow.  In shear tests some weak layers
   were failing with little to very little force.  In ski cutting of wind
   slab and pillowed areas we were able to trigger shooting cracks and
   slab failures.

   AVALANCHE - INSTABILITY DESCRIPTION:
   
   We're currently rating the avalanche danger between the elevations of
   5,500 and 7,500' as CONSIDERABLE on steep slopes with significant
   amounts of newly deposited snow.  Unstable slab layers are probable on
   steep, open  terrain.  Natural avalanches are possible, while human
   triggered avalanches are probable.  Backcountry travelers should be
   very cautious in avalanche terrain.  Be aware of potentially dangerous
   areas of unstable snow, particularly on wind loaded aspects.  Even
   subtly wind loaded slopes may be a problem.

   Below 5,500 ft. elevation we're rating the avalanche danger as LOW.  A
   more shallow snow there is often anchored by vegetation and terrain
   features 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, but normal caution is still advised on any steep, open slope.

   WEATHER FORECAST & AVALANCHE OUTLOOK:
   
   The weather forecast is for a high pressure ridge to begin building
   over our region Friday night producing drying conditions this
   weekend.  A wave may push thru the ridge late Saturday, but only light
   snowfall is expected.  W-SW winds should be modest during the period.
   Mild daytime temperatures should allow the current snowpack to settle
   and gain some strength.  Cold nighttime temperatures can however
   preserve some degree of near surface instability and backcountry
   travelers will still need to exercise caution in avalanche terrain,
   especially on lee slopes in wind prone areas.
   
   The next regularly scheduled update of this advisory message will be
   Monday, January 14th.