Avalanche forecast

Logan

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Highlights

The snow is stable, and the avalanche danger is LOW on most slopes in the backcountry. Drifting by sustained winds from the west elevated avalanche conditions at upper elevations, and there are areas of MODERATE danger on slopes facing northwest through southeast. People could trigger large cornice falls or avalanches of wind-drifted snow up to around 2 feet deep on drifted slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Heavy snowfall and drifting by strong winds will elevate the danger tonight and tomorrow, and dangerous avalanche conditions may develop.

Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully. Stay well back from cornice edges and off of slopes under overhanging cornices.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2
    • Watch for and avoid stiffer wind-drifted snow on the lee side of major ridges, below cornices, and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, and gully walls.
    • Wind slabs appear smooth, chalky, and rounded, and they can sound hollow, like a drum, when you move around on them.
    • Cracking is a red flag indicating unstable snow.
    • Hard wind slabs sometimes let you get out on them before releasing suddenly, while freshly formed, softer wind slabs are often very easily triggered, sometimes remotely (or from a distance).

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3

    • People should stay off of, out from under, and well away from the edges of large overhanging cornices, which are deceptive and often break much further back than expected.
    • Natural and human-triggered cornice falls are possible today, and these could trigger avalanches on slopes beneath.

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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.

Recent Activity

Wednesday, in the Central Bear River Range, we could see extensive evidence of natural loose and shallow soft slab activity from Tuesday's storm. Riders tested many steep slopes and landing zones under cliffs and only produced a few small avalanches. Report Here

Read about all avalanches and observations HERE.

Snow and Weather

You'll likely find nice powder conditions limited to northerly facing slopes at upper and mid-elevations. Even though air temperatures stayed pretty cool in the past couple of days, the high-angled March sun dampened the deep powder from Tuesday's storm on most slopes, especially those facing the south half of the compass, and the snow surface will be crusty in many areas today. We've found that the fresh snow from earlier in the week is stable on most slopes and in sheltered terrain.

Yesterday's sustained and strong winds veered from the south to the west, and from the west-northwest overnight, drifting snow in exposed upper-elevation terrain and elevating the avalanche danger in some areas. Avalanches of wind-drifted snow and large cornice falls are possible today, mainly on slopes facing the northwest through the southeast. Mountain temperatures should stay cool, and skies will be mostly cloudy today, but it is late March; if the sun pops out for even a little while, it will moisten the snow surface and elevate the potential of loose wet (or moist) avalanches entraining recent snow on steep slopes.

Moderate snowfall is visible on Beaver Mt's webcams, with about an inch of new snow apparent. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 23° F this morning, with 103 inches of total snow (111% of normal SWE for the date). It's 18° F at the Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, with 81 inches of total snow. At 9700 feet at CSI's Logan Peak Wx station, winds are blowing 20 to 30 mph from the west-northwest, and it's 14° F. The winds on Paris Peak at 9500 feet are blowing 20 to 30 mph, with overnight gusts of 42 mph from the west-southwest, and it's 13° F.

Snow showers are possible in the mountains today, and it will be mostly cloudy, with a high temperature at 8500 feet of around 32° F. Winds from the southwest will blow 10 to 16 mph.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Logan Zone starting at 8:00 tonight through 4:00 tomorrow afternoon. Snow showers are likely tonight, and the snow could be heavy at times, with new snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible. Expect temperatures steady around 28° F, and wind from the southwest blowing 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Snow showers will continue tomorrow, and the snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow is expected, mainly after noon. High temperatures will be near 31° F, and it will be breezy, with wind from the west blowing 20 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%, with 8 to 12 inches of new snow accumulation possible.

The weather will shift to a more spring-like pattern as the storm moves off to the east on Sunday. Expect increasingly sunny skies and skyrocketing temperatures in the first few days of next week, with a forecast high temperature of 56° F on Wednesday at 9000 feet!

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

Wednesday, we could see evidence of extensive natural loose and some shallow soft slab activity from Tuesday's storm. Here is a look at the cliffs on the west side of Tony Grove Lake.

One of several small human-triggered wind slab avalanches occurred on Wednesday at around 8400' on a drifted east-northeast facing slope in the big meadow below Mt Magog.

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

-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.

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