Logan

The snow on most slopes is stable, and the avalanche danger is LOW in the backcountry this morning. However, an approaching severe winter storm will elevate the danger to MODERATE this afternoon, and people could trigger small wind slab avalanches on drifted upper elevation slopes steeper than 30°.

• Prepare for rising avalanche danger by checking your rescue equipment and practicing companion rescue with your backcountry partners.
• Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, and avoid being on or under drifted slopes this evening and overnight.

Urgent battery replacement is required for anyone who received batteries from one of our participating "Batteries for Beacons" shops. Please review the replacement notice for "Batteries for Beacons" on our blog, HERE. Batteries distributed through our "Batteries for Beacons" program this year are of inadequate length. We apologize and will provide you with new batteries.

• Yesterday, a rider triggered but was not caught by a small wind slab avalanche in upper White Pine Canyon near Naomi Peak. HERE
• On Friday, a snowboarder unintentionally triggered and was caught and carried by a hard wind slab avalanche. Luckily, they were uninjured, and we are grateful they were willing to share their story. HERE
• Read about all avalanches and observations in the Logan Zone HERE.
• ***Remember, the information you share about avalanches you see or trigger in the backcountry could save lives.

We've found decent "loud powder" in sheltered north-facing terrain, but the snow in most places is crusty and inconsistent. Recent strong winds destroyed the powder in most areas, and stiff drifts, windboard, and satrugi are widespread across the zone, even in normally sheltered and forested areas. Near-surface faceted snow is widespread at all elevations, and we found several areas with glittery surface hoar in and around avalanche start zones. Sunny slopes sport surface crusts and dampness, but very loose sugary facets lurk just beneath the surface. We expect rapidly rising danger this weekend as the storm looks to be targeting the Logan Zone.

Now is a good time for people to do a mid-season gear check. Replace your batteries and bring your backcountry partners over to the Franklin Basin Beacon Training Park to practice companion rescue. It's surprisingly good fun, especially when the backcountry snow is not so good.

-The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 26° F, with 54 inches of total snow. (The station sits at 85% on normal SWE for the date.) At our Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, it's 26° F and there is 42 inches of total snow.

-At the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700 feet, winds are blowing from the southwest 28 to 34 mph, and it's 26° F. On Paris Peak, at 9500 feet, it is 22° F, and the winds are blowing from the southwest 25 to 32 mph.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the mountains north of I-80 from this afternoon through Monday evening. Heavy snow is expected over the weekend in the Logan Zone, with 22 to 34 inches of accumulation in the Naomi Peak Area point forecast for tonight and Saturday, and heavy snow accumulations continuing through the weekend...

***Subject to an extreme temperature gradient caused by a prolonged dry spell with cold temperatures and clear nights, the snow near the surface has become very weak and faceted at all elevations. Heavy snow and drifting from the incoming storm will overload these sugary weak layers and significantly elevate avalanche danger.

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

We found widespread weak snow on and near the snow surface in the Tony Grove Area Wednesday. The avalanche danger in the backcountry is LOW currently, but as an atmospheric river brings heavy snow and wind this weekend, the danger will rise significantly, and we encourage people to check the avalanche forecast before they head out into the backcountry.

-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.

-Receive forecast region-specific text message alerts to receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings. Sign up and update your preferences HERE.

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.