A powerful winter storm has caused very dangerous conditions and HIGH danger on upper elevation slopes facing northwest, north, and northeast in the backcountry. Human triggered and natural avalanches are likely on steep drifted slopes with weak preexisting snow. Storm and wind slab avalanches are possible even on slopes that were bare before the storm. Avalanches could be triggered remotely, from a distance, or below! You can find much safer conditions at lower elevations and on sheltered slopes that were bare last week.
Avalanches consisting of fresh wind drifted snow are likely today on steep upper elevation slopes. Expect the danger to become more widespread today as more snow accumulates and is drifted by southwest winds into avalanche starting zones. Cracking and collapsing are red flags indicating unstable conditions.
Storm slabs consisting of new snow are possible on steep slopes. Avalanches could fail on a density change or weak layer within the new snow, and they will be possible even on slopes that were bare before the storm. Natural activity is most likely during periods of very heavy snowfall.
Beware of heavy snow sliding off metal roofs as daytime temperatures warm up.
Most sunny slopes were bare and many others patchy or crusty after the prolonged November dry spell. But on shady slopes above about 8000' facing the north half of the compass, the old October snow has grown sugary and very weak. Dangerous and destructive avalanches failing near the ground are possible, and the danger on many of these slopes will persist for a while even after the storm abates.
The very same slopes that will tempt us to play on them, are the ones that are the most dangerous and need to be avoided.
Join us for our 16th annual Pray for Snow Party, December 4, at The Cache in downtown Logan.
Come join us for an evening filled with good friends, good food, and good music all to support avalanche forecasting, awareness, and education. Music from The Swinging Lights!!!! Lucky Slice will be serving up gourmet slices once again.
Buy your tickets early to save $5! See you there! HERE
It's 25°F at the Tony Grove Lake Snotel at 8400' this morning, and I'm reading 2 inches of new snow from overnight. There was 16 inches of new snow yesterday morning, and now 31 inches of total snow at the site. It's 22°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, south winds increased overnight and are now blowing about 35 mph, with a gust earlier this morning of 70 mph. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry, and avalanches are likely in upper elevation north facing terrain where there are slopes plagued by very weak, sugary or faceted October snow.
The danger may become more widespread and a strong Pacific Storm will continue to impact the Logan Zone today, with 8500' high temperatures around 29°F. Expect 15 to 20 mph south winds and 6 to 12 additional inches of snow possible in the mountains today and tonight. The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has continued a Winter Storm Warning for the mountains of Northern Utah through Saturday morning. We might see a little sun on Sunday.
11/28/19: The new snow was almost too deep yesterday on the "Ridge". Beaver Mountain welcomes non-motorized travel and offers a good option for early season turns. Before the lifts open you should treat it as the backcountry, but most of the terrain is not steep enough for avalanches. Come on up and help pack out all the fresh powder.
The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for wheeled vehicles in the winter, and it is snowpacked, narrow, and icy in places. You could easily get stuck in today's very deep snow. Hikers, cross country skiers, snow bikers, dogs, sleds, and 4x4s share the road this time of year, so be nice and keep your speed down around others.
It's key to head into the early avalanche season with the proper mindset. In this podcast, we talk with UAC program director Bo Torrey. Bo talks about particular risks unique to the early season, tips and tricks for knocking the rust off your early season rescue skills, and charts out the path forward with avalanche education. HERE
