Avalanche forecast

Logan

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Highlights

There is HIGH avalanche danger on drifted upper-elevation slopes, where natural avalanches are likely. Dangerous avalanche conditions and CONSIDERABLE danger exist on many other slopes. People are likely to trigger large and destructive avalanches on slopes steeper than 30°, especially on northerly-facing slopes at mid and upper elevations. Avalanches could be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from the flats below steep slopes.

People should avoid being on or beneath drifted slopes steeper than 30°.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3

    Very weak faceted snow exists near the ground on almost all northerly-facing slopes at upper and mid-elevations. Other persistent weak layers have also been observed higher in the snowpack. Large and dangerous avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer are likely in drifted terrain, and they are possible even in sheltered areas.

    • Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and collapsing (whumpfs) are signs of unstable snow, but these obvious signs of instability will not always be present.
    • Avalanches today could be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below steep slopes in the flats.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds out of the southwest were sustained overnight and will continue to blow today. Drifting has created new slabs of wind-drifted snow in exposed terrain. Freshly formed wind slabs likely overloaded slopes with poor snow structure.

    • Avalanches of wind-drifted snow are most likely on the lee side of major ridges.
    • Drifting formed new wind slabs in exposed terrain and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, gullies, and scoops.
    • Soft, freshly formed wind slabs may be quite sensitive, and some may be remotely triggered. Stiff wind slabs may allow you to get out onto them before releasing, like a giant mouse trap.

Recent Activity

We are very sad to report that there were two confirmed fatalities due to two separate avalanches that happened in the Salt Lake area mountains over the last days of 2024... Main Porter Fork and Davenport Hill -Large natural avalanches were observed in the past several days across the Logan Zone, from the Wellsvilles to the Central and Northern Bear River Range..

- A party remotely triggered a small avalanche of wind-drifted snow yesterday in the Mt. Naomi Wilderness.

- On Christmas Eve, two local riders (brothers) had a close call with a large avalanche in Steep Hollow. The accident report is HERE.

- Last Saturday, we remotely triggered an avalanche of drifted storm snow from a lower-angled adjacent slope. Video HERE

- You can read all recent local observations HERE.

Snow and Weather

Several inches of new snow and significant drifting by southwest winds yesterday and overnight elevated the avalanche danger back to HIGH in upper elevation terrain where both natural and human-triggered avalanches are likely. You can find safer riding options in lower-angle terrain, at lower elevations, in sheltered areas, and on south and west-facing slopes. The mountain snowpack is gradually adjusting to the weight of last weekend's productive storm, but large and destructive avalanches remain possible.

We've been staying out of avalanche terrain this week, off of and out from under steep slopes. Cold temperatures have kept the snow nice, even in sunny terrain, and we've found excellent powder riding conditions. The snow is supportable enough to float a sled in most places, but it's still pretty shallow, with plenty of shallowly buried land mines. We've found improved stability and safer conditions on west-facing slopes and sunny terrain with little snow cover in November and early December. Southerly low-elevation slopes are bare of snow or still have only minimal snow cover.

We urge people to stay off of and out from under drifted slopes steeper than 30°, as dangerous avalanches can be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below. Today, people should avoid travel through avalanche paths and stay clear of avalanche runouts.

-The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports several inches of new snow, with 1.3 inches SWE (snow water equivalent) in the last 24 hours. It's 27° F, with 60 inches of total snow.

-Winds on Logan Peak ( 9700') are currently blowing from the west 20 to 25 mph, with gusts around 40 mph, and it's 22° F. Last night, the winds were sustained and fairly strong, blowing from the southwest, with gusts of 52 mph.

-It's 24° F at 8800 feet at our Card Canyon station, with an inch of new snow and 41 inches total.

-On Paris Peak at 9500 feet in Bloomington Canyon, it is 19° F, and the winds blow 15 to 30 mph from the west-southwest. Here the winds were strong and sustained from the southwest overnight as well.

Snowfall will taper off this morning, with another 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible. West winds will continue to drift snow in exposed terrain, blowing around 15 mph. with gusts in the mid-30s. Tonight will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures holding steady around 27° F and 8 to 10 mph winds from the west-southwest. Tomorrow we'll see classic avalanche accident weather with dangerous avalanche conditions. It will be mostly sunny, with high temperatures around 36° F.

The weather pattern will remain active through the weekend and into early next week, with various periods of accumulating snow.

For more information, visit the UAC weather page here: Weather - Utah Avalanche Center

For Logan-specific weather, go here: Logan Mountain Weather - Utah Avalanche Center

Additional Info

Monday, we found great powder riding in the safe low-angle meadows in Franklin Basin north of the State Line, but the snowpack structure is pretty bad.

On Saturday we remotely triggered a large Avalanche above the Tony Grove Campground. The video is HERE

The crown of a remotely triggered avalanche near Tony Grove Lake.

General Announcements

-National Forest Winter Recreation Travel Maps show where it's open to ride: UWCNF Logan, Ogden LRD Tony Grove, Franklin Basin CTNF Montpelier

-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.

-Remember, even though the gate is still open, the Tony Grove Road is not maintained for winter driving.

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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