Logan

Heightened avalanche conditions exist on many mid and upper elevation slopes, and people could trigger dangerous avalanches failing on a sugary persistent weak layer. Avalanches could be 1 to 2 feet deep, and might be triggered remotely or from a distance. With a degree of uncertainty, will keep CONSIDERABLE danger on steep drifted slopes at upper elevations facing the northern half of the compass. Snow and drifting from west winds will cause rising danger in the backcountry during the day and overnight. You can find safer conditions in lower angled and sheltered terrain, and at lower elevations.

• Cracking and collapsing indicate unstable snow.

• Continue to avoid and stay out from under drifted slopes steeper than about 30 degrees.

Thanks to the generous support of our local resorts, Ski Utah, and Backcountry, discount lift tickets are now available. Support the UAC while you ski at the resorts this season. Tickets are available here.

Many natural and remote triggered avalanches were observed last Friday and over the weekend in the Logan Zone. The mostly 1'-deep soft slab avalanches, failing on a persistent weak layer consisting of sugary faceted snow, were fairly forgiving and nobody got caught.

From a distance Wednesday, an observer noticed a recent large natural avalanche in the Mount Naomi Wilderness, in Upper Cottonwood Canyon. The broad slab avalanche below a cliff band was probably a few days old.

Several inches of light new snow accumulated Tuesday night on upper elevation slopes, which created nice shallow powder conditions. Overall snow coverage is still very shallow in the Logan Zone, and the snow that was on the ground in November and early December is loose and sugary. In many places you still sink all the way to the ground when you hop off your sled. Observers continue to report triggering booming audible collapses in many areas. These whumpfing sounds are a red flag indicating unstable snow. Trail breaking is difficult on skis because in many places you sink deeply into the sugary snow, and it's scary on a sled because you expect to hit rocks and down trees at any moment. Not many people are out riding, especially off trail, and there are already a few tales of broken A-arms from those who have tried.

Still too shallow to ride comfortably. Nice shallow powder riding conditions, but the snow pack is shallow and full of land mines. (12-23-2020)

Expect snow in the mountains today, with a couple inches of accumulation, and drifting from moderately strong west-southwest winds. High temperatures in the upper twenties are expected at higher elevations, and wind chill values will be as low a -3°F. Snow showers will continue tonight and several more inches should accumulate on mountain slopes. We should see some sun in the mountains tomorrow, but a storm, passing mostly to our south will bring a chance for a few inches of snow in the beginning of the week. There is potential for a significant winter storm in the Logan Zone later in the week.

Despite apparent gradual stabilization of the snow pack, dangerous avalanche conditions persist on steep previously drifted slopes at upper elevations, and human triggered avalanches remain possible on many steep slopes in the Logan Zone. More than expected snow and drifting today will probably cause a rising avalanche danger in the backcountry.

Everybody should make time to examine and practice with your avalanche rescue equipment, and convince your backcountry partners to practice with you. Watch our companion rescue video HERE My tip for avoiding avalanches in the backcountry is to keep your slope angles low. Avoid and stay out from under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees. Get a tool to measure slope angle and practice with it in the backcountry. Watch the video HERE.

Paige shows what we are talking about when we mention faceted snow in our forecasts. Watch the video HERE

Visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.

We've kicked off Season 4 of the UAC podcast with a Conversation with American Avalanche Institute owner Sarah Carpenter. You can stream it HERE or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for wheeled vehicles in the winter.

EMAIL ADVISORY. If you would like to get the daily advisory by email you subscribe HERE.

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations....HERE. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clickingHERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.

I will update this forecast by around 7:30 tomorrow morning.

This forecast is from the USDA Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.