The snow is stable, and the avalanche danger is LOW this morning, but periods of heavy snow and drifting by strong winds from the southwest will elevate the threat to MODERATE at upper elevations this afternoon. People could trigger shallow avalanches of drifted storm snow, most likely on slopes facing the north half of the compass.
Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Avoid cornices and drifted upper-elevation slopes steeper than 30°.
Shallow human-triggered avalanches of wind-drifted snow will become more likely this afternoon as fresh snow is rapidly drifted onto slopes along ridgelines steeper than 30°.
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No avalanches were reported yesterday, though last week we observed many wet avalanches due to the heat.
Read about all avalanches and observations HERE.
Winds blowing from the south increased significantly overnight, drifting yesterday's fresh snow and creating shallow wind slabs in lee slope deposition zones. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Logan Zone through Wednesday evening. 9 to 16 inches could accumulate in upper elevation terrain by tomorrow morning, and winds from the southwest will increase in the mountains through this evening. The storm will elevate avalanche conditions, with shallow human-triggered avalanches of wind-drifted snow possible at upper elevations this afternoon and heightened conditions more widespread tomorrow.
Yesterday, we found decent riding in the shallow new snow, especially in low-angled terrain where the old warm snow from last week was untracked and smooth. The snowpack took quite a hit from last week's hot weather, with most low-elevation terrain completely melted off or with very shallow coverage.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reported around 7 inches of new snow, with 2 inches yesterday evening and .8" SWE. It's 30° F, and there is 92 inches of total snow. About 5 inches accumulated at the Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet. It's 30° F and there is 71 inches of total snow.
At 9700 feet at CSI's Logan Peak Wx station, winds are currently blowing from the southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts in the 40s, and it's 25° F. The winds on Paris Peak at 9500 feet are blowing from the south-southwest 10 to 20 mph, and it's 24° F.
It is currently snowing heavily at Beaver Mountain, and there is about 1" of new snow on their snowstake. (Check the Beaver Mt Webcams) Snow showers are likely today, mostly in the afternoon, and snowfall could be heavy at times, with 3 to 7 inches of accumulation possible by evening. Some thunder is possible. Expect a high temperature at 9000 feet around 38° F, and it will be breezy, with a southwest wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.
Snow showers are expected tonight, mainly before midnight. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low temperatures will be around 19° F. Breezy, with a west wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Tuesday, snow showers are likely, with a high temperature around 26° F. Wind from the west will blow 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches is possible. 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
There were a few good-sized wet slab avalanches spawned by the heat last week, including these in Rattlesnake Canyon in the Wellsville Mt Wilderness. These natural avalanches were triggered by cornice fall. The picture is from Saturday, March 29
-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.
