Yesterday's 2-3" of new snow is a welcome addition to this season's snowpack. The avalanche danger will be MODERATE today at the highest elevations and across ridgetops. Natural wind-drifted snow avalanches are unlikely, but human-triggered avalanches could be possible. Look for and avoid shallow slabs of wind-drifted snow that may have developed in upper-elevation terrain and along ridgelines. These wind-drifted avalanches could be up to 12" deep.
The danger is LOW in mid and lower-elevation terrain.
Recent wind speeds are ideal to transport the new snow across the mountains. Today, look for and avoid places where blowing snow has created rounded-pillowy drifts. You are likely to see this wind-drifted snow mainly near ridgetops and around terrain features like gullies and cliffs in higher elevation terrain. These wind-drifted avalanches could be up to 12" deep.
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No recent avalanches were reported in the Logan Zone. In the mountains south of Logan, backcountry travelers reported natural and human triggered shallow loose dry avalanches running in steep terrain and I would expect the same could be found in the Logan area mountains.
Yesterday, there were reports of 2-3" of new snow throughout the Logan Area Forecast Region. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 44 inches of total snow, with overnight temperatures in the mid-teens °F. The CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' had overnight temperatures in the single digits ° F and winds blowing from the northwest 14-20 MPH with gusts up to 29 MPH. The temperature is 7°F at the new Card Canyon weather station, with 34.5" of total snow on the ground. The new Paris Peak weather station in Southern Idaho is reporting overnight temperatures in the single digits °F with winds blowing from the north 5 gusting to 11 MPH with a max overnight gust of 25 MPH. Wind chills throughout the region are well below 0 °F For today, winds will blow lightly from the northwest 5-10MPH gusting to 15MPH at the highest ridgelines. Skies will be clear with temperatures 15-20°F. No new snow is expected today.
Prior to yesterday's snow we found stable and variable snow conditions near Garden City Bowls and in the Bunchgrass Area. Even with warm temperatures and high pressure, we found surface hoar and sugary surface snow (consisting of near-surface facets) on shaded east-facing terrain. Dig down below the new snow to see if these crystals are under the newest snow as they are a sensitive weak layer when buried.
This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions, and local variations always occur.
