(Today's forecast was guest-written by Mack Talty)
Overall, the avalanche danger is LOW and the snow is stable on most slopes in the backcountry. On upper elevation slopes facing north, east, and south there are areas of MODERATE danger where it is possible to trigger wind slab avalanches breaking roughly 1 foot deep. The likelihood of triggering a dangerous hard-slab avalanche failing on a persistent weak layer 3-4 feet deep is decreasing, however, the potential to trigger an unsurvivable avalanche still exists in upper and mid-elevation terrain.
Heads up, the avalanche danger will increase throughout the week as an incoming winter storm impacts the area.
Moderate winds blowing 15-25 mph from the west-northwest have created the potential for wind-slab avalanches breaking roughly 1 foot deep on upper elevation slopes facing north through east through south. If the storm arrives earlier than expected, wind-drifted snow could be found on northwest through southeast facing slopes at mid and upper elevation terrain.
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No new avalanches were reported from the Logan Zone yesterday. Plenty of wet loose avalanches were visible over the past week, and the last reported slab avalanche was on February 25.
Read about all avalanches and observations HERE.
We found greatly improved riding conditions in the Central Bear River Range yesterday. Thick, dust-on-crust conditions, although we found pockets of blown-in snow that felt deeper in sheltered north-facing terrain. Southerly facing slopes were a bit scratchy. Here is our report.
A few lingering snowflakes are falling this morning after a trace to 3 inches of snow fell at mid and upper elevations yesterday. We should see mostly cloudy skies and a few more snow flakes falling throughout the morning as a promising storm moves into the area around 2:00 PM this afternoon. Winds will start off lightly blowing from the west before picking up from the south and southeast this afternoon. Moderate winds from the west-northwest have been blowing steady at 20 mph at upper elevations, and avalanches of wind-drifted snow are possible on north through east through south facing slopes at upper elevations. Otherwise, the avalanche danger is LOW across the Logan zone, meaning natural and human-triggered avalanches are unlikely. If the storm arrives earlier than expected, it could elevate the avalanche danger to MODERATE on all aspects at mid and upper elevations before nightfall. Although unlikely, large and dangerous hard-slab avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer 3-4 feet remain a potential threat. We don’t trust facets.
Travel advice for today includes avoiding slopes with large overhanging cornices that have the potential to trigger avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer (PWL), and to practice safe travel protocol by only exposing one person at a time to steep terrain.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports another inch of new snow. It's 26° F, with 89 inches of total snow. It's 22° F at the Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, with a trace of new snow, and there's 62 inches of total snow.
At 9700 feet at CSI's Logan Peak Wx station, winds are blowing 15 to 20 mph from the west and it's 19° F. On Paris Peak at 9500 feet, it's 18° F, with winds blowing 15 mph with 30 mph gusts from the west.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning beginning at 5:00 this evening and continuing through Friday evening. Today, we will see mostly cloudy skies with a few falling flakes, and temperatures climbing to 33° F. Winds will start off light from the west before transitioning to a south-south east flow and picking up speed to 10-15 mph by the afternoon. The storm is expected to arrive around 2:00 PM, and we could see 10-12” of snow by tomorrow morning. Temperatures are expected to hover around 25-30° F before dropping Thursday evening. We are expecting around 2 inches of SWE (snow water equivalent) and 20-25 inches of new snow by Friday morning, coupled with south and south-east winds blowing 10-20 mph. New snow and wind-drifted snow will increase the avalanche danger.
For more information, visit the UAC weather page here: Weather - Utah Avalanche Center
For Logan-specific weather, go here: Logan Mountain Weather - Utah Avalanche Center
-National Forest Winter Recreation Travel Maps show where it's open to ride: UWCNF Logan, Ogden LRD Tony Grove, Franklin Basin CTNF Montpelier
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-Remember the information you provide could save lives, especially if you see or trigger an avalanche. To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE.
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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.
