Logan

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist at all elevations in the backcountry. There is CONSIDERABLE danger on drifted slopes steeper than 30°, and people are likely to trigger dangerous slab avalanches failing on a sugary, persistent weak layer buried 1 to 3 feet deep. Rain saturated the snow in low and mid-elevation terrain, and mountain temperatures remain exceptionally warm, so wet avalanches are likely.

• Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential for safe backcountry travel today.
• Avoid steep slopes with recent deposits of wind-drifted snow and stay off and out from under those with warmth-softened, rain-saturated, moist or wet snow.
• You'll find safer riding in the meadows and on slopes less than 30° not connected to or beneath steeper slopes.

Numerous natural avalanches from overnight or early Sunday morning were observed at all elevations across the Logan Zone.

• Large natural avalanches of wind-drifted snow were observed yesterday in the Cornice Ridge area south of Naomi Peak. These were 1 to 3 feet deep and 100 to 250 feet wide.
• We observed widespread natural wind slab avalanches in the Wellsville Range on Sunday. These were on generally east-facing slopes <9000 feet, and looked to be 1 to 3 feet deep and 150 to 800+ feet wide, with some running close to 2000 vertical feet.
• Natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches occurred late Saturday night or early Sunday morning in Logan Canyon, with a few slides running out onto Highway 89.
• On Sunday, riders intentionally triggered a sizable wind slab on a test slope in the Crescent Lake area.
• Numerous red flags of instability were reported, including long shooting cracks and extensive whumpfs.
• Read about all avalanches and observations in the Logan Zone HERE.
• *Remember, the information you share about avalanches you see or trigger in the backcountry could save lives.

Unseasonable warmth, even at upper elevations, turned the snow to mush and destroyed the nice powder. Very strong winds from the south-southwest continue to blow, but the winds can no longer drift much of the moist or saturated snow. Avalanche conditions are dangerous in the backcountry. Heavy new snow from the weekend storm and extensive drifting from strong winds from the southwest overloaded a widespread layer of pre-existing weak snow. Conditions are most hazardous on upper elevation slopes facing northwest through southeast, where natural wind slab avalanches remain possible, and people are likely to trigger dangerous wind slab avalanches. Rain and unseasonably warm temperatures saturated the snow in mid and low-elevation terrain, and with very warm mountain temperatures expected again today, wet avalanches are likely.

You'll find safer conditions and decent "surfy" moist and dense snow riding in the meadows and on low-angle slopes less than 30 degrees not connected to or under steeper terrain.

***Fishers need to be aware of potential wet avalanches coming down into the Logan River and stay out from under steep slopes with saturated snow.

-The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports about 18 inches of settled heavy snow from the weekend storm with 2.9" SWE. It's too warm, 41° F, with 64 inches of total snow. (92% of normal for the date). At our Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, it's 40° F, and there is 44 inches of total snow.

-At the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700 feet, winds are blowing from the south-southwest 32 to 51 mph with overnight gusts of 71 mph, and it's 35° F. On Paris Peak, at 9500 feet, it is 33° F, and the winds are blowing from the south-southwest 15 to 30 mph, with overnight gusts near 50 mph.

NWS point forecast for the Naomi Peak Area: Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 44°. Breezy, with a southwest wind 20 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Tonight: A 40% chance of snow, mainly after 11pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 32° F. Breezy, with a southwest wind 20 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Wednesday: Snow. Temperature falling to around 25° F by 5pm. Wind chill values as low as 10° F. Windy, with a west wind 26 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

The next chance for snow comes Thursday evening and Friday and it is likely to be heavy at times on Friday, with a forecast for 13 to 21 inches of accumulation possible. Snow will continue into next weekend.

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

Yesterday, large natural avalanches were observed in the Cornice Ridge area.

Riders Sunday intentionally triggered this small avalanche on a small test slope in the Crescent Lake Area.

-National Forest Winter Recreation Travel Maps show where it's open to ride: UWCNF Logan, Ogden LRD Tony Grove, Franklin Basin CTNF Montpelier

-For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.

-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.

-Receive forecast region-specific text message alerts to receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings. Sign up and update your preferences HERE.

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.