Avalanche forecast

Logan

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Highlights

Heightened avalanche conditions exist on drifted upper elevation slopes in the Logan Zone. People could trigger 1 to 2 foot deep slab avalanches of wind drifted snow on steep slopes. Loose wet avalanches entraining saturated surface snow are possible in the middle of the day in steep sunny and lower elevation terrain.

  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Heightened avalanche conditions exist in drifted upper elevation terrain. People could trigger avalanches of wind drifted snow, with slabs ranging from 1 to 2 feet deep, on steep upper elevation slopes again today.

    • Watch for cracking as a sign of instability.
    • Avoid stiffer, recently drifted snow near the ridge tops, on corniced slopes, and in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gullies, scoops, and cliff bands.
    • Stay off and out from under large ridge top cornices, which could break much further back than expected and might trigger avalanches on steep slopes below.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Nice cold temperatures have really helped, but temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees warmer today, the intense high angled April sun will be out, and heightened conditions for loose wet avalanches will likely develop on steep sunny and lower elevation slopes.

    • Watch for loose, unconsolidated snow, roller balls, pin-wheels, and natural sluffs as telltale signs of instability.
    • If you or your machine starts sinking into saturated snow or if the snow where you are gets warm and slushy, you should move off of and out from under steep slopes.

Special Announcement

Spring Awareness Campaign - Help us save lives through avalanche forecasts and education. Consider making a donation before April 8th. We are sad to share the news of two recent avalanche fatalities:

On Wednesday, Trace Carrillo died in an avalanche on Taylor Mountain near Teton Pass. Trace was formerly an intern with the UAC and more recently a wilderness ranger with the Forest Service. Article here. Preliminary report here.

On Friday, Rob Kincaid died in an avalanche just north of Palisades Reservoir near the ID/WY stateline. Rob was well known by many snowmobilers as an athlete for Arctic Cat and veteran of many snowmobile competitions. Article here. Preliminary report here.

More details should be available soon about these tragic events but initial reports are that both men were wearing avalanche transceivers that were not turned on.

January 5, 2019 - Read this collection of 6 stories and a podcast about that day with a low avalanche danger, 8 skier-triggered avalanches, four catch and carries, a partial and critical burial, and a trip to the emergency room.

Recent Activity

Yesterday afternoon on Cornice Ridge above Tony Grove Lake, a snowmobiler triggered an avalanche of wind drifted snow above a group of skiers building a jump. The 14" deep and a few hundred feet wide avalanche on a northeast facing slope at around 9200' in elevation overran the area, and the skiers narrowly escaped as a large pile of debris stacked up on their not yet completed jump. Shortly afterward, a rider from another group triggered another slab avalanche, just north and adjacent to the first.

Thursday afternoon, a rider triggered and rode out of a soft slab avalanche in Bullen Basin, in upper White Pine Canyon. The avalanche of wind drifted snow on a 40 degree east facing slope at about 9300' was estimated to be 16" deep and about 80' wide.

Snow and Weather

It's 23°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel and there is now 100 inches of total snow with 111% of normal Snow Water Equivalent. The station recorded about 18 inches of new snow with close to 2.0" SWE this week. It's 18°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and west-southwest winds are currently blowing about 20 mph.

Heightened avalanche conditions exist at upper elevations, and people could trigger soft slab avalanches of wind drifted snow. Much colder temperatures at lower elevations have formed a crust on the saturated new snow, which has increased stability. Loose wet avalanches will become possible during the day in steep sunny and lower elevation terrain.

  • Evaluate terrain carefully and continue to practice safe travel protocols to minimize your risk. Staying on slopes less than 30 degrees is the best way to avoid problems.

The low pressure system moving south along the west coast will bring warmer and breezy conditions to much of the area beginning this weekend. Somewhat unsettled conditions will develop across northern and western Utah Sunday, then continue into early next week.

Expect sunny conditions in the mountains today, with 8500' high temperatures close to 40°F, and southwest wind blowing 11 to 14 mph. Snow is likely tonight, with about an inch of accumulation possible. It will be cloudy and low temperatures are expected to be around 26°F, with 10 to 13 mph south-southwest winds. Snow is expected in the mountains tomorrow, with 1 to 3 inches likely, high temperatures around 44°F, and 8 to 11 mph south-southwest winds.

Additional Info

Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.

Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.

New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.

General Announcements

EMAIL ADVISORY. If you would like to get the daily advisory by email you subscribe HERE.

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations....HERE. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.

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

We will update this forecast before about 7:30 tomorrow morning.

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