Avalanche forecast

Logan

Issued Jan 9, 2026valid to Jan 10, 2026Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

MODERATE: Heightened avalanche conditions exist in mid and upper-elevation terrain, where people could trigger slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow on slopes steeper than 30 degrees. There are areas with more dangerous conditions in high terrain, including easterly-facing slopes with wind-deposited new snow and sensitive, recently formed cornices.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely
Size
4
Although unlikely, there is lingering potential on some isolated slopes with poor snow structure for large and destructive hard slab avalanches that fail on a buried persistent weak layer near the ground. We are becoming less concerned, but the problem may still exist in outlying upper-elevation terrain, especially on northerly-facing slopes in isolated rocky terrain with shallow snow cover.

Another potential buried persistent weak layer consisting of small sugary grains of faceted snow exists on the interface of last year's snow surface and the heavy snow from the New Year's storm. Slab avalanches today, up to three feet thick, might fail on this buried persistent weak layer.
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
People could trigger wind slab avalanches today, especially in exposed terrain at upper elevations and on drifted mid-elevation slopes facing the east side of the compass. Wind slab avalanches up to 3 feet thick might fail on a preexisting layer of weak surface snow.

Wind slabs are rounded and chalky looking and can sound hollow, like a drum when you travel over them.

Cracking is an obvious sign of instability.

Soft wind slabs of drifted new snow might be quite sensitive to human triggering, while hard, older wind slabs can be devious, sometimes allowing people to get well out on them before releasing suddenly, like a mousetrap.
Cornices
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
2
Freshly formed cornices are likely to break further back than you might expect, and could trigger wind slab avalanches on slopes below.

Avoid travel on and under cornices and steep slopes with stiff deposits of recently wind-drifted snow.

Recent Activity

An observer reports triggering a sizable cornice fall avalanche on Tuesday by dropping a cornice on a drifted east-facing slope off the Knob in the Strawberry area near Emigration Summit in the Northern Bear River Range. For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan Zone, go HERE.

Snow and Weather

Yesterday, Bo Torrey and I made it up the Logan Peak Rd to the Card Canyon weather station and Red Pine Ridge. We found fantastic, 5-star deep powder riding conditions and generally stable snow, with 4 to 5 feet of total snow at the site at 8700 feet. Our observation is here. People should evaluate the snow and terrain carefully in the backcountry. Today's avalanche problems include potential for soft and stiffer wind slab avalanches of drifted new snow, cornice falls (that could break further back than expected), and isolated deeper slab avalanches failing on a sugary persistent weak layer around 3 feet deep. Avalanche conditions are more hazardous in drifted upper-elevation terrain, especially on slopes with recently formed cornices.

The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 11°F, with 4 inches of new snow, and 6 feet (72 inches) of total snow. At the UAC Card Canyon weather station at 8700 feet, it's 7°F, with 8 inches of new snow in the last 24 hrs and 53 inches of total snow. Currently at 9700 feet on Logan Peak, it's 3°F, and the wind is blowing around 25 mph from the west-northwest. It's 2 degrees on Paris Peak, and sadly, the wind sensor is still rimed. It will be cold and sunny in the mountains today, with a high temperature at 8500 feet of around 16°F. With moderate winds blowing from the west-northwest, wind chill values will be as low as -9°F. It looks like a pleasant weekend with mostly sunny skies and only gradually warming temperatures remaining below freezing in the mountains.

Additional Info

We checked out the cornice fall avalanche near Emigration Summit on Wednesday, and here is the video.

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.

Observations and Avalanches

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