Logan

The snow on most slopes is stable, and the avalanche danger is LOW in the backcountry. However, people still might trigger wind slab avalanches on drifted slopes steeper than 30°.

• Use normal caution. Follow safe travel protocols by exposing only one person at a time to avalanche risk.
• Prepare for rising avalanche danger by checking your rescue equipment and practicing companion rescue with your backcountry partners.

• Monday, observers noticed a couple of small recent natural avalanches of wind-drifted snow in the Mt Naomi Wilderness. Their report is HERE
• On Friday, a snowboarder unintentionally triggered and was caught and carried by a hard wind slab avalanche. Luckily, they were uninjured, and we are grateful they were willing to share their story. HERE
• 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.

We found decent "loud powder" yesterday in sheltered north-facing terrain, but the snow in most places is crusty and inconsistent. Recent strong winds destroyed the powder in most areas, and stiff drifts, windboard, and satrugi are widespread across the zone, even in normally sheltered and forested areas. Near-surface faceted snow is widespread at all elevations, and we found several areas with glittery surface hoar in and around avalanche start zones. Sunny slopes sport surface crusts and dampness, but very loose sugary facets lurk just beneath the surface. We expect rapidly rising danger this weekend as the storm looks to be targeting the Logan Zone.

Now is a good time for people to do a mid-season gear check. Replace your batteries and bring your backcountry partners over to the Franklin Basin Beacon Training Park to practice companion rescue. It's surprisingly good fun, especially when the backcountry snow is not so good.

-The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 30° F, with 54 inches of total snow. (The station sits at 85% on normal SWE for the date.) At our Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, it's 26° F and there is 42 inches of total snow.

-At the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700 feet, winds are blowing from the north-northwest 23 to 34 mph, and it's 24° F. On Paris Peak, at 9500 feet, it is 24° F, and the winds are blowing from the north 21 to 26 mph.

NWS Point Fx for Naomi Peak area: Today: Sunny, with a high near 32° F. West-northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 15° F. West wind around 8 mph. Friday: A 40% chance of snow after 11am. Increasing clouds, with a high near 33° F. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the mountains north of I-80 from Friday afternoon through Monday afternoon. Heavy snow is expected over the weekend in the Logan Zone, with 18 to 28 inches of accumulation in the Naomi Peak Area point forecast for Friday night and Saturday, and heavy snow accumulations continuing through the weekend...

***Subject to an extreme temperature gradient caused by a prolonged dry spell with cold temperatures and clear nights, the snow near the surface has become very weak and faceted at all elevations. Heavy snow and drifting from the incoming storm will overload these sugary weak layers and significantly elevate avalanche danger.

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

We found widespread weak snow on and near the snow surface in the Tony Grove Area yesterday. Avalanche conditions in the backcountry are currently LOW, but as an atmospheric river brings heavy snow and wind this weekend, the danger will rise significantly, and we encourage people to check the avalanche forecast before they head out into the backcountry.

Urgent battery replacement is required for anyone who received batteries from one of our participating "Batteries for Beacons" shops. Please review the replacement notice for "Batteries for Beacons" on our blog, HERE. Batteries distributed through our "Batteries for Beacons" program this year are of inadequate length. We apologize and will provide you with new batteries.

-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.