Avalanche forecast

Logan

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Highlights

The avalanche danger is HIGH today, and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and rising temperatures are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. Human-triggered and natural avalanches are likely on all aspects and at all elevations.

  • You'll find safer riding conditions on slopes less than 30 degrees.
  • People fishing in the Logan River should avoid standing under steep slopes holding saturated snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2

    Strong winds have drifted snow into avalanche starting zones, overloading many slopes with dense, new snow. With even stronger winds expected today, we advise staying clear of steep, wind-drifted slopes.

    • Watch for shooting cracks, a clear sign of instability, and be aware that some wind slab avalanches may be triggered remotely.
    • Avoid rounded pillows of snow that sound or feel hollow underfoot.
    • Wind slabs are generally much stiffer than the surrounding snow.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2

    New snow storm slabs will be easy to trigger and may occur naturally as more snow accumulates. Before this weekend, the Logan area mountains developed a widespread layer of weak surface snow. We expect this layer to be very sensitive today as the load increases. You may also see loose avalanches in very steep terrain at high elevations.

    • The higher you go today, the bigger and deeper these avalanches will be.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2

    With warming temperatures and rain below 7-8000', expect to see loose wet avalanches on all aspects. These may gouge deeper into the snowpack as they run and become bigger than expected as they travel downhill. Suspect areas include all cut banks and slopes above the Logan River, and any steep slope where the snow is saturated.

    • Rollerballs and pinwheels are signs of unstable snow.
    • Avoid being underneath steep slopes holding saturated, wet snow.

Avalanche Warning

What The avalanche danger for the warning area is HIGH at all elevations.

When: Very dangerous avalanche conditions will continue through the weekend and early next week.

Where: For the mountains of Northern Utah and Southeast Idaho, including the northern Wasatch Range and the Bear River Range.

Impacts: Heavy snow, drifting by strong winds, rising temperatures, and rain have created very dangerous avalanche conditions at all elevations in the backcountry.

Special Announcement

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.

Recent Activity

  • 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.

Snow and Weather

Avalanche conditions are becoming increasingly complex. In the past 36 hours, we’ve received 2.5" of SWE (snow water equivalent) and 14 inches of heavy snow, accompanied by strengthening winds and a rising rain/snow line as temperatures warm. The storm snow is loading on widespread pre-existing weak snow across the range, creating very dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain and stay clear of avalanche runouts. You'll find good dense powder riding in the meadows and on low-angle slopes less than 30 degrees not connected to steeper terrain. Expect to see natural loose wet avalanches on steep slopes below 8000' on all aspects as temperatures rise today. ***Fisherpeople beware of avalanches coming down into the river.

-The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 34° F, with 68 inches of total snow and 12 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours containing 1.8" SWE.

- At our Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, it's 31° F and there is 47 inches of total snow.

-At the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700 feet, winds are blowing from the southwest 35 to 45 mph with gusts in the 60's mph, and it's 28° F.

- On Paris Peak, at 9500 feet, it is 25° F, and the winds are blowing from the south-southwest 24 to 39 mph.

The National Weather Service has continued a Winter Storm Warning for the Logan area mountains through 5 pm today. Another 3 to 8 inches of wet, heavy snow is expected, with strong winds blowing from the southwest, gusting up to 45 mph. The rain/snow line may reach as high as 8000', so be prepared for wet weather. The system will move on by tomorrow morning, but the unseasonably warm air is expected to stay for a few days. The next chance for snow is Tuesday night into Wednesday.

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

We found widespread weak snow on and near the snow surface in the Tony Grove Area Wednesday. The current storm is overloading this poor structure, and both human-triggered and natural avalanches are very likely.

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.

-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.

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