Avalanche forecast

Logan

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Highlights

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on some drifted upper-elevation slopes steeper than 30 degrees, especially on northwest through southeast aspects, where you are likely to trigger avalanches 2–3 feet deep. Storm snow slabs, dry loose sluffs, and wind slabs are also a concern.

Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision-making are essential for safe travel today.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    Dangerous, hard slab avalanches up to 3 feet deep are possible on steep slopes in drifted upper elevation terrain. Recently drifted slopes with poor snow structure (a slab of dense snow on top of weak faceted snow near the ground) are most suspect. At upper elevations, weak, faceted snow from November is buried beneath a thick crust or multiple crusts and dense snow. People could trigger dangerous hard slab avalanches up to 3 feet deep that propagate widely.

    • Collapsing—seen as shooting cracks or heard as audible whumpfs—is a clear sign of unstable snow, though it may not always be present.
    • Avalanches might be triggered remotely (from a distance or below).

    See Bear Wallow ECTP_6 video below

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    On slopes steeper than 30 degrees, it may be possible to trigger soft slabs of recent storm snow today. Additionally, last night's cold temperatures have dried out the surface snow, making dry loose sluffs likely in steep terrain, especially in confined features where snow can funnel and gain momentum.

    Wind slab avalanches are also possible, particularly at upper elevations where winds blowing from the west and northwest have drifted snow into lee starting zones. Watch for and avoid slopes with signs of wind loading, such as rounded pillows, stiff or chalky snow, and cracking underfoot.

    • Even small avalanches can have serious consequences in shallow snow conditions, where a slide could drag you through rocks or downed trees below.

Recent Activity

No new avalanches have been reported locally since early December. A party reported a loud whumpf or audible collapse in upper elevation northeast-facing terrain Friday. (see report) For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan Zone, go HERE

We triggered a couple of small collapses yesterday near the top of Beaver Mountain, indicated by shooting cracks.

Snow and Weather

Finally ... a decent winter storm! Since Christmas Eve, the mountains have picked up about 3.5" SWE (snow water equivalent) and about 16-20+ inches of snow. The new snow appears to be bonding fairly well to the existing snow surface, and we expect any lingering instabilities in the storm snow to fade over the coming days. Riding conditions are vastly improved, though exercise caution on a sled, as many obstacles lie just buried under the snow surface.

It is going to be a beautiful day today, but do not get lulled into a false sense of security. Our snowpack just experienced a major loading event and will need time to stabilize. We were still observing propagation on the now deeply buried November facets this past week, which means that any avalanche triggered today could be 2-3 feet deep. We have a few days and nights of cold temperatures coming up, which will hopefully help to lock up and stabilize the snowpack.

Currently, it is a crisp 9°F at Tony Grove with 47 inches of total snow. At the UAC Card Canyon weather station, it is 7°F with 28 inches of total snow. Winds on Logan Peak are blowing from the northwest around 25 mph, though overnight gusts were in the 40s and 50s. Paris Peak shows 0°F with a wind chill of -15°F and light winds blowing from the northwest.

Today will be a sunny but cold day, with temperatures around 20°F at 8,500 feet and light winds blowing from the northwest, creating wind chills of around –4°F. The forecast calls for clear skies and sunshine until about New Year's Day with increasing daily high temperatures. The models show a possible storm next weekend.

Additional Info

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

-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

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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.

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