Dangerous avalanche conditions are found at all elevations on backcountry slopes steeper than 30°. There is CONSIDERABLE danger, with avalanches of wind drifted snow likely on drifted upper elevation slopes, and wet avalanches becoming likely on sunny slopes and at lower elevations. Warming in the next few days will elevate the danger of wet avalanches.
Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and make conservative decisions. *Watch yourself, children, and animals near structures, since roof avalanches are a real threat.
This morning, winds are blowing moderately but increasing a bit from the southwest. It was very windy over the weekend, with strong westerly winds. Imagine dangerous conditions still exist up high, especially in windy terrain, with huge mouse trap sensitive cornices, and thick, recently formed wind slabs. Large cornice falls and 1' to 3' thick soft and harder wind slabs are likely in windy terrain, especially at upper elevations.
We've released the accident report for the 3-27-23 Pole Canyon avalanche in the Oquirrh Mountains .....It's HERE
Today the sun will be out in full force, for the first time in quite a while. Recent accumulations at lower elevations and in some areas (like the southern part of the zone) are extraordinary. Solar warming will moisten the fresh snow surface and rapidly elevate the danger of loose wet avalanches. Seasonal warmth will also warm up the snow on low elevation shady north facing slopes. Winds from the southwest increased a little overnight and are plenty strong enough to drift fresh snow in windy terrain at upper elevations, and its likely that people could trigger large cornice falls or 1' to 3' thick slab avalanches of wind drifted snow.
The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 2 inches overnight and 3" SWE from the storm. It's 15°F and there is 167" of total snow. The wind is blowing from the southwest 25 mph at the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700'. Here is the NWS point forecast (36 hrs) for high elevations in the Central Bear River Range:
Today: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 29. Wind chill values as low as -6. West southwest wind 8 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -1. South southeast wind 6 to 11 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Wind chill values as low as 4. South wind 10 to 14 mph.
Upper elevation daytime high temperatures are expected rise in the next couple days, and it's expected to be over 50° F and sunny on Monday. Temperatures will be close to 50° F in Logan Canyon on Sunday and 60° F on Monday.
From Hillyard Canyon on Tuesday:
From Ogden Valley on Sunday:
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.
