Avalanche forecast

Logan

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Heavy snowfall and strong winds blowing from the south-southwest will elevate the avalanche danger today. Heightened avalanche conditions exist this morning and the danger is likely to rise to CONSIDERABLE in drifted upper and mid-elevation terrain this afternoon. Natural avalanches of wind-drifted snow are possible, and large cornice falls are likely. People venturing into drifted terrain this afternoon will probably trigger avalanches of wind-drifted storm snow up to 2 feet thick on slopes steeper than 30°.

The best and safest powder riding conditions will be found in sheltered terrain and on lower-angled slopes with no overhead hazard.

Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential for safe backcountry travel. Avoid and stay out from under steep drifted slopes and overhanging cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Human-triggered avalanches of wind-drifted snow are likely in drifted upper and mid-elevation terrain. Very strong winds from the west earlier in the week loaded snow onto leeward terrain and built out cornices. Watch for and avoid stiffer wind drifts on the lee side of major ridges, corniced slopes, and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, gully walls, and mid-slope rollovers. Stiff wind slabs could be stubborn, allowing a person to get well out on them before releasing. Other softer wind slabs could be more sensitive; some might even be triggered remotely from a distance.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2

    Stay well away from and out from under overhanging cornices, which may break further back than expected. Natural cornice falls are likely today, and some could trigger wind slab avalanches on slopes below.

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Recent Activity

  • Wednesday, a snowbike rider triggered a soft wind slab in the Tony Grove Lake Area but was not carried. The location is not clear but it was on a north-facing slope at around 9000', reported as being 20" deep and 35' wide. (see report)
  • An observer noticed a recent wind slab avalanche in Logan Dry Canyon from Monday or Tuesday, 1 to 3' deep x ~200' wide, running ~1000' and crossing uptracks from the weekend. (see report)
  • Also on Wednesday, another observer reported a cornice fall/wind slab avalanche on Cornice Ridge that occurred earlier in the week. (report)

Check out all local observations and avalanches HERE.

Snow and Weather

Winds blowing from the south-southwest picked up considerably overnight. Strong winds will continue today, and periods of heavy snowfall will supply fresh ammo. The incessant winds will build out existing cornices along the ridgetops and create new stiff wind slabs. Large natural cornice falls are likely and these could trigger wind slab avalanches on slopes below. Overhanging cornices can be quite devious and, if you get out on them, could fail much further back from the edge than expected. Beaver Mountain's webcams are showing moderate snowfall this morning and around an inch of new snow. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 33° F and 103 inches of total snow containing around 121% of normal SWE (snow water equivalent). I'm reading 80 inches at our new Card Canyon weather station at 8750', a bit north of Logan Peak.

Winds out of the south-southwest increased significantly overnight at the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' in elevation. They are currently blowing 35 mph with a gust of 71 mph recorded at 3:00 this morning. At our other new weather station at 9500' on Paris Peak, winds are also blowing from the south-southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts near 40 mph, and it's 23° F.

March is coming in like a Lion this year. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Logan Zone continuing through Saturday night.

Today will be quite stormy, with periods of heavy snow and blowing snow. Winds howling from the southwest 30 to 35 mph, and gusts around 50 mph are expected, with mountain temperatures around 32° F. Some thunder is also possible. Snowfall is expected to be heavy at times tonight, with increasing winds and 6 to 14 inches of accumulation possible by tomorrow morning. More snow is expected north of the state line with 10 to 18 inches forecasted to fall today and tonight.

It's the same thing on Saturday; the storm will continue, and snowfall will be heavy at times with periods of blowing snow. Winds blowing from the south-southwest gusting to around 60 mph, with 14 to 20 inches of accumulation possible The frontal passage should occur around midday. Mountain snowfall will diminish a little on Saturday night, but it will continue to come through the weekend.

Next week's weather looks a bit more benign with partly sunny skies, but there is a also chance of snow every day.

Additional Info

A natural cornice fall and wind slab avalanche was observed on Wednesday on Cornice Ridge near Naomi Peak.

General Announcements

-Listen to your very own Logan Zone avalanche forecasters on the UAC Podcast HERE.

-Read my recent blog about wind, drifting, and avalanches HERE.

-Sign up for forecast region-specific text message alerts. You will receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings...HERE.

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

-To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE.

-Come practice companion rescue at the Franklin Basin TH Beacon Training Park. It's free and open to everyone. For easy user instructions, go HERE.

-We will update this forecast by 7:30 AM tomorrow. 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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