CONSIDERABLE: Heavy new snow, rain, and drifting created dangerous avalanche conditions at all elevations in the Logan Zone. Human triggered soft slab, wet loose, and wind slab avalanches involving new snow are likely today. Natural activity is possible, especially during periods of very heavy snowfall. The danger will continue to rise with additional heavy snow in the mountains today and could become HIGH in some areas by this evening.
Soft slab and loose avalanches involving new snow will become increasingly likely even in sheltered terrain as heavy new snow stacks up, especially if more than expected accumulates. In many areas we observed surface hoar feathers and in others, a shallow layer of weak sugary snow on top of a hard melt-freeze crust.
Avalanches of fresh wind drifted snow are likely on upper elevation slopes. Drifting from strong south-southwest winds created dangerous conditions in some areas yesterday, and the danger could increase and become more widespread due to drifting from more moderate westerly winds today.
Heavy rain saturated and softened the snow, and wet avalanches are likely on steep low and some mid elevation slopes. I think the rain/snow line this morning is around 7000' in elevation. You should avoid and stay out from under steep slopes with saturated snow. Natural wet avalanche activity is quite possible at lower elevations.
***A special note to fishermen; Natural avalanches of wet snow may occur on steep slopes above the Logan and Blacksmith Fork rivers today, and one might run right into your favorite fishing hole!
Enjoy spring skiing at Snowbasin Resort. The UAC has discount Snowbasin tickets available. HERE
Triggered wet loose and small soft slab avalanches were reported from most areas. Besides a few sluffs, no new avalanches were reported in the Logan Zone since last week's wind-spawned natural activity.
It rained hard in Logan last night, and about a foot of heavy new snow fell in the Bear River Range in the last 24 hrs. This precipitation and drifting from strong south-southwest winds yesterday and west winds overnight created dangerous avalanche conditions at all elevations. The danger may continue to rise with continuing storminess today.
We found glittering surface hoar on the ridges and in avalanche starting zones Monday. In some areas it may have survived Wednesday's wind and rain.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 11 inches of heavy new snow, with 1.3" SWE in the last 24 hours. It's 29ºF this morning and there's 97"of total snow containing 107% of average SWE for the date. It's 22 ºF at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and west-southwest winds are currently averaging around 18 mph, with a 39 mph gust earlier this morning.
The remnant of the first storm system over northern Utah will exit the area later today. The next colder storm system will reach western Utah late tonight, then expand across much of northern and central Utah for Friday through Friday evening. Expect more moist snow in the mountains today, with 3 to 5 inches of accumulation possible. Temperatures at 8500' expected be around 30ºF, with 15 to 20 mph west-southwest winds. Snow showers will continue tonight, but not much is expected to accumulate, low temperatures expected to be around 22º F, with 10 mph southwest winds, veering from the east. Snow will resume tomorrow, with 4 to 8 inches possible, temperatures will fall to around 22 ºF, and we expect 15 mph west winds.
I will update this forecast Friday morning.
The new weather station at the WSU Bloomington Canyon Yurt is up and running. Data available HERE
Now is a great time to practice companion rescue techniques with your backcountry partners. You should check out and use the new Avalanche Beacon Training Park we set up at the Franklin Basin trailhead. Special thanks to Northstars Ultimate Outdoors, USU Outdoor Program, and Beaver Mountain Ski Patrol for helping us to make this possible.
The Beaver Mountain Backside is the backcountry, and it is avalanche terrain. Same goes for the steep rocky terrain adjacent to Cherry Peak Resort. If you leave a ski area boundary, you and your partners should carry and practice with avalanche rescue equipment and follow safe backcountry travel protocols.
Check out the improved weather links, road conditions, and weather links for each forecast region on the new UAC IOS App. Do you use the NOAA point forecast? If so, now you can bookmark your favorite weather locations in "My Weather" in the App. HERE
Are you new to the backcountry or looking to refresh your skills? The UAC has released a free 5-part avalanche skills eLearning series. HERE
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This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
