Overnight temperatures dropped well below freezing, backcountry snow is mostly stable, and the overall avalanche danger is LOW. While unlikely, there is still potential for people to trigger dangerous hard slab avalanches in upper and mid-elevation terrain steeper than 30°, where a persistent weak layer is buried 3 to 4 feet deep.
Use normal caution, and continue to practice safe travel protocols.
While the likelihood of triggering an avalanche on a buried persistent weak layer is decreasing, the consequences of doing so are still significant. While unlikely, large and dangerous avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer remain possible in upper and mid-elevation terrain on rocky slopes with shallow snow cover and on corniced slopes.
A recent cornice fall-triggered avalanche in the Mount Naomi Wilderness. (PC:Jensen)
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No new avalanches were reported over the weekend in the Logan Zone, but there were a few large natural avalanches and cornice falls last week. Read about all avalanches and observations HERE.
Temperatures dropped well below freezing overnight, refreezing the wet snow and improving stability. An inch of new snow accumulated in upper elevation terrain across the zone, repainting the hills with a fresh coat of white. We'll find mostly stable snow and decent dust-on-crust riding conditions, especially in low angled terrain where the refrozen snow is smooth underneath.
The avalanche danger is LOW across the Logan Zone, meaning dangerous avalanches are unlikely. Even so, large and dangerous hard slab avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer buried 3 to 4 feet deep remain possible. There were a handful of large natural avalanches last week, some were triggered by large cornice falls, others possibly by rapid warming and heat shock. Our best travel advice is to stay off, away from, and out from under those large overhanging ridge-top cornices, and to continue to follow safe travel protocols by only exposing one person at a time to avalanche hazard while the rest of your party watches from a safer place.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports an inch of new snow. It's 25° F, with 88 inches of total snow. It's 23° F at the Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, with an inch of new snow with 62 inches total.
At 9700 feet at CSI's Logan Peak Wx station, winds are blowing around 15 mph from the south and it's 21° F. On Paris Peak at 9500 feet, it's 19° F, with winds blowing around 5 mph from the south-southeast.
There's a 50% chance of snow today, with 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible. It will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature around 32° F at 8500 feet. The wind will shift from the northwest this morning and blow 11 to 16 mph.
Snow is likely tonight, with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low temperature around 25° F, and winds blowing from the northwest 13 to 16 mph.
Tomorrow, about an inch of snow is possible and it will be mostly cloudy with a high near 31° F and winds blowing from the northwest 11 to 14 mph.
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
-National Forest Winter Recreation Travel Maps show where it's open to ride: UWCNF Logan, Ogden LRD Tony Grove, Franklin Basin CTNF Montpelier
-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.
