Heightened avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry and the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Warm temperatures and intense sun will elevate the hazard during the day; natural avalanches of wet snow and large cornice falls are possible. People could trigger wind slab avalanches in drifted upper elevation terrain and/or wet avalanches in sunny terrain on slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
**People fishing in the Logan River should avoid being under steep snow-covered slopes, especially in places like the Dugway and the turns just below Temple Fork.
Drifting by winds blowing from the south-southwest created shallow but stiff wind slabs in upper elevation terrain. Watch for and avoid recent drifts on the lee side of major ridges, below cornices, and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, and gully walls.
We are very sad to report a fatal avalanche accident occurred on Friday, March 7 in the Western Uinta Mountains near Kamas. Preliminary accident report is HERE
March kicks off our Spring Campaign! If everyone in Utah’s backcountry community donates the cost of something they regularly enjoy on an adventure—like a dawn patrol burrito, a backpack snack, or post-ride trailhead drinks—we could fund not just one but two forecasters for the entire season! Donate HERE.
-Large and small natural wet avalanches were reported and observed in sunny terrain at all elevations across the zone in the past few days.
Read about all avalanches and observations HERE.
Drifting by winds from the southwest created small wind slabs on the lee sides of major ridges and in and around upper elevation terrain features. The snow in select high shady terrain should still be in decent condition this morning, but we'll find surface crusts of differing thicknesses on most slopes. Once the sun climbs high enough, its sharp March angle will soften the crusts and rapidly turn the surface of the snow into cohesionless mush like a slushy from 7/11. As the snow becomes saturated, heightened avalanche conditions will develop, with natural wet avalanches and large cornice falls possible.
Low elevation terrain facing the south half of the compass is bare of snow or has only very shallow snow cover.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 32° F, with 92 inches of total snow. It's 32° F at the Card Canyon weather station with 69 inches of total snow. At 9700 feet at CSI's Logan Peak Wx station, winds are blowing 23 to 30 mph from the southwest, and it's 27° F. On Paris Peak at 9500 feet, it's 26° F, with winds blowing 19 to 24 mph from the southwest.
Expect another nice day in the mountains with clear skies, strong sunshine, and high temperatures at 8500 feet topping 40° F. Winds from the southwest will blow 9 to 15 mph. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny, with a high near 40° F, and winds from the southwest 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. A winter storm will impact the Logan Zone and elevate the avalanche danger beginning Wednesday night with increasing winds from the south-southwest. Snow will be heavy at times on Thursday, with 11 to 19 inches of accumulation in favored locations possible by Friday morning, and strong winds from the south-southwest will drift plenty of snow.
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
Reports verify numerous natural wet avalanches occurred due to the warmth in the past few days across the zone on most aspects and elevations... Dean Harris sent in this picture with group of recent loose wet avalanches off a rock band in the Adams Corral area of Red Pine Ridge. Expect elevated wet avalanche conditions with warm temperatures again today.
-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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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.
