Heavy snowfall today will elevate the avalanche danger to CONSIDERABLE on upper and mid-elevation slopes steeper than 30 degrees, especially in wind-drifted terrain. Natural avalanches are possible during periods of particularly heavy snowfall, and people are likely to trigger soft slab or loose avalanches of storm snow. There are also likely isolated slopes where dangerous hard slab avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer near the ground are possible.
Heavy snowfall and rapid accumulations will create the most significant avalanche problem today, with soft slab and loose avalanches of storm snow increasingly likely, especially in drifted terrain. Soft slab avalanches could fail on a preexisting layer of weak surface snow consisting of surface hoar or small sugary faceted grains.
In the southern half of the zone, much upper-elevation avalanche terrain remains difficult to access, and many popular slopes remain unvisited. A buried persistent weak layer problem likely still exists in outlying upper-elevation terrain, but this is unconfirmed. We are still concerned by poor snowpack structure, with a weak layer of November facets near the ground. In many areas, those grains are now moist or wet, and overall, they’re showing fewer signs of instability. Dangerous, hard slab avalanches up to 3 feet deep are still possible in isolated or outlying drifted terrain.
No new avalanches have been reported in the Logan Zone since early December. For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan Zone, go HERE.
Heavy snow is falling in the mountains this morning, with temperatures hovering around and finally dropping below freezing. The rain/snow line will drop slightly today, and road conditions in Emigration and Logan Canyons could get a bit dicey. Rapid accumulations of heavy snow will elevate avalanche conditions in the backcountry today, and dangerous conditions may develop, especially in drifted terrain at upper elevations and on mid-elevation slopes facing northwest through east. A potential weak layer consisting of glittery surface hoar and small sugary grains of faceted snow exists on last year's snow surface. Buried by this storm, it could be preserved intact on some slopes. Soft slab avalanches of storm snow will likely fail on this layer where it exists today, and it could also be a future concern; the next buried persistent weak layer.
It's 31°F at Tony Grove with 7 inches of heavy new snow containing 1.5 inches of SWE (snow water equivalent) and 46 inches of total snow. At the UAC Card Canyon weather station, it's 29°F with 6 inches of new snow and 31 inches of total snow. Winds on Logan Peak are blowing from the west at around 25 mph, with a gust of 37 mph early this morning. At the UAC site on Paris Peak, it’s 24°F with winds from the southwest at 14 to 20 mph.
The National Weather Service has continued a Winter Weather Advisory through 11:00 AM. Expect more snow in the mountains today, with 5 to 9 inches of additional accumulation possible. High temperatures at 8500 feet will be around 31°F, with moderate winds blowing from the west. Tonight temperatures are expected to be around 28°F, with mostly cloudy skies and continued moderate winds from the west-southwest. Snow showers are likely tomorrow afternoon, and mountain temperatures will be in the mid-30°F range. The next round of storminess will move into the zone tomorrow night, and snowfall could be heavy at times on Sunday and Sunday night, with 8 to 16 inches possible then.
Use safe travel practices: travel with a partner, and cross or ride steep slopes one at a time while the rest of your group watches from a safe spot.
Are you interested in learning more about avalanches? Visit our education page for details on all our classes.
For more information, visit the UAC weather page here: UAC Weather Page For Logan-specific weather, go here: Logan Mountain Weather
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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.
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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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.
