Elevated avalanche conditions and MODERATE danger exist on mid and upper elevation slopes in the backcountry today. People could trigger loose sluffs or shallow soft slab avalanches of storm snow in steep terrain. If the sun peeks out, shallow loose wet avalanches may become likely. Watch for trees, gullies, cliffs, or other terrain traps below you if you do venture onto steeper slopes.
EVALUATE SNOW AND TERRAIN CAREFULLY
Loose avalanches or sluffs and shallow soft slabs of drifted storm snow are possible for people to trigger in steep upper and mid elevation terrain. Avalanches of wind drifted fresh snow are most likely on upper elevation slopes facing east.
If the sun peeks out, even for a short time, the fresh snow will quickly become moist, and shallow loose wet avalanches entraining the new snow will become likely in steep terrain.
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Observers report active storm snow avalanche conditions in the Central Bear River Range yesterday. One party reports triggering fast moving loose avalanches or sluffs that entrained significant piles and ran well down into avalanche runouts.
Temperatures dropped overnight, and it's a cool 20°F this morning at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel. Looks like about an inch of new snow fell overnight, and 5" in the last 24 hours. There is 67 inches of total snow with 79% of normal SWE. The Franklin Basin Snotel, just north of the state line, reports 8" with .6" SWE. It's 11°F and west-northwest winds are blowing around 20 mph at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station. We expect mostly cloudy skies today, with a good chance of snow showers this afternoon, but little accumulation expected. High temperatures at 9000' will be around 24°F, and moderate north-northwest winds will create wind chill values as low as -3°F. Snow showers are likely tomorrow, with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible at upper elevations. Unsettled conditions will continue through the work week, with the next chance for heavy snow in the Logan Zone coming on Thursday.
Avalanches of storm snow are possible for people to trigger today on steep upper and mid elevation slopes. If the sun peeks out, it'll quickly moisten the fresh snow and small loose wet avalanches will become likely in steep terrain.
As daytime temperatures rise, softening the snow, the danger of wet avalanches will increase, so its a good idea to get in the habit of an early start and to plan on heading down before things get too sloppy.
-Watch for trees or other terrain traps below you if you venture onto steep slopes.
-If you start sinking deeply into wet snow, or if the snow you are traveling on becomes unsupportable due to the heat, it's time to leave. Do you have the essential avalanche rescue gear (transceiver, probe, and shovel) and do you know how to use them? Watch this video to see how the three pieces of equipment work together. HERE
Please keep practicing with the Beacon Training Park at the Franklin Basin Trailhead. Test yourself and your riding partners. It is free, fun, and easy to use.
Preston rider Allen Foss was killed in an avalanche on February 20 near Sherman Peak. Please consider supporting the Foss family during this difficult time. HERE
Visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
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Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations....HERE. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clickingHERE, or include #utavy in your Instagram, or @UAClogan on Twitter.
We will update this forecast by around 7:30 tomorrow morning.
This forecast is from the USDA Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
