Avalanche forecast

Logan

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Highlights

A powerful winter storm will rapidly increase avalanche danger in the backcountry today. In upper and mid-elevation terrain, the danger is already CONSIDERABLE, with drifted storm snow overloading a widespread layer of weak faceted snow on many slopes. Very dangerous avalanche conditions will develop by this evening, raising the danger to HIGH in drifted upper elevation terrain. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are increasingly likely.

People should avoid travel in avalanche terrain; stay off and well out from under slopes steeper than 30°

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    3

    Avalanches of wind-drifted snow will become increasingly likely during the day in lee areas near ridgelines and in and around exposed terrain features in upper elevation terrain, particularly on slopes facing northwest through east.

    • Avalanches could be triggered remotely.
    • Slabs of wind-drifted new snow will form in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, rock outcroppings, gullies, and mid-slope rollovers.
    • Beware if you cause cracking in stiffer drifted snow. Shooting cracks and whumpfing are obvious signs of instability.
    • Even small avalanches can be quite dangerous if you are carried into trees or other terrain traps below.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3

    Although much low-elevation terrain was bare of snow yesterday, we expect the avalanche danger to rise significantly higher in the backcountry as preexisting layers of very weak snow are overloaded by heavy storm snow and drifting...

    Paige explains how different types of weak snow that develop during periods of benign weather can become persistent weak layers when buried by future snows. We expect dangerous avalanche conditions to develop as persistent weak layers are overloaded by heavy snow this week.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    As snow rapidly stacks up on steep slopes, it is likely to become unstable. Whether or not avalanches fail on pre-existing weak layers or layers that develop within the snow becomes irrelevant at some point. Natural avalanches of storm snow are most likely during periods of exceptionally heavy snowfall

Recent Activity

For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan zone, go HERE

Snow and Weather

This map from the National Weather Service shows expected snowfall for the next few days...

Today, a powerful winter storm will continue to elevate avalanche danger in drifted upper and mid elevation terrain, especially on northerly facing slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees. Thick slabs of wind-drifted snow are rapidly building in lee areas of exposed ridgelines and in and around terrain features, such as gullies and rock bands. Before snow started falling last night, terrain below about 7000 feet had only very shallow, if any, snow cover, with muddy access trails, dry trailhead parking lots, and sunny slopes facing southeast through west completely bare of snow.

Currently, winds on Logan Peak are blowing from the southwest around 40 mph, with a gust of 87 mph recorded early this morning. It's 18°F on Paris Peak at 9500 feet, and the wind is blowing 26 to 43 mph from the south-southwest. At 8700 feet, the UAC Card Canyon station reports 20°F and 7 inches of new snow, and there's 50 inches of total snow. The Tony Grove Snotel, located at 8400 feet, reports 30°F, and 11 inches of new snow with 1.3 inches of SWE, and 64 inches of total snow.

The National Weather Service has continued a Winter Storm Warningfor the mountains in the Logan Zone, beginning tonight through Wednesday night. We can expect heavy snowfall in the mountains today, with 6 to 10 inches of accumulation possible. High temperatures at 8500 feet will be around 25°F, and very strong and gusty winds from the west-southwest are expected. The powerful winter storm will continue tonight and tomorrow, with another 2 feet of snow possible in favored upper elevation terrain. Unsettled weather conditions will continue through the week, with clearing likely for the weekend.

Additional Info

  • Travel with a partner, and cross or ride slopes steeper than 30 degrees one at a time while the rest of your group watches from a safe spot.
  • Ensure that everyone in the group has avalanche rescue equipment (a transceiver, probe, and shovel) and knows how to use it.

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Join the UAC for the first "Stay and Play Avalanche Course" at Bear River Lodge in the Uintas, March 19th-22nd. This course is designed for snowmobilers by snowmobilers, where you will learn avalanche rescue, riding skills, and how to survive in the backcountry. Come enjoy all the luxury offerings at Bear River Lodge and improve your skills along the way.

For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.

Did you know the UAC hosts a podcast? Episode 2 of Season IX is just out - AI, Machine Learning, and the Value of Expert Intuition at the Utah Avalanche Center.

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.

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