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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

MODERATE: Snow stability continues to improve in the backcountry, but dangerous human triggered avalanches 1 to 3 feet deep are still possible at all elevations. Heightened avalanche conditions exist on previously drifted slopes with buried persistent weak layers facing the northern half of the compass.

  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    Earlier in the week, drifts built up on sugary or faceted persistent weak layers, and heightened avalanche conditions exist at all elevations. The shallow snow on the ground in many areas became loose, sugary, and faceted during the New Years cold spell. Slabs of harder snow formed on top of the loose faceted snow during the windy storm last weekend, and if you trigger an avalanche today it might step down into old snow and be large and dangerous. Avalanches could be directly triggered on very steep slopes with shallow snow and poor snow structure, but you might trigger one remotely, from a distance, or below. The buried sugary snow on many slopes will remain weak for a while.

Snow and Weather

It's been a week now since the last storm, and the surface snow in most areas suffers from wind jack or sun-crusts of varying thickness. You might find some areas with "loud powder" in sheltered shady terrain, recrystallized surface snow (facets) or glittery feathers of surface hoar. We're seeing gradually improving stability in the backcountry, but also lingering potential for triggering dangerous avalanches.

The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 24º F and there's 46"of total snow containing 83% of average SWE. I'm reading 19º F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and southeast winds are currently averaging around 20 mph.

The first in a series of weather disturbances will return to the area from the southwest late Monday, followed by a second system Tuesday night through Wednesday. A colder and stronger storm will arrive late in the week. Today will be sunny with light east winds and high temperatures at 8500' near 34º F.

Additional Info

I will update this forecast Wednesday morning.

Special Announcement

Now is a great time to practice companion rescue techniques with your backcountry partners. You should check out and use the new Avalanche Beacon Training Park we set up at the Franklin Basin trailhead. Special thanks to Northstars Ultimate Outdoors and USU Outdoor Program for helping us to make this possible.

Recent Activity

A large avalanche occurred Saturday morning (1/12/19) on the east side of Logan Peak in the Fairgrounds Bowl. It was probably remote triggered by riders in the area. See report HERE

Thanks to Ryan Thompson for the photography

That brings the number of unintentionally human triggered avalanches in the Logan Zone that we know of up to 6 in 2019. (all since 1/4/19) The list of recent avalanches in the Logan Zone list is HERE

General Announcements

The Beaver Mountain Backside is the backcountry, and it is avalanche terrain. If you cross the ski area boundary, you and your partners should carry and practice with avalanche rescue equipment.

Check out the improved weather links, road conditions, and weather links for each forecast region on the new UAC IOS App. Do you use the NOAA point forecast? If so, now you can bookmark your favorite weather locations in "My Weather" in the App. HERE

Are you new to the backcountry or looking to refresh your skills? The UAC has released a free 5-part avalanche skills eLearning series. HERE

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This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

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