Avalanche forecast

Logan

Utah Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is HIGH in the backcountry today. Heavy snowfall and drifting by strong winds have created very dangerous avalanche conditions, and natural and human-triggered avalanches are very likely on slopes steeper than 30° at all elevations.

People should avoid travel in all avalanche terrain and stay clear of avalanche runouts.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    3

    AVOID TRAVEL IN ALL AVALANCHE TERRAIN AND STAY CLEAR OF AVALANCHE RUNOUTS.

    • Soft slab and loose avalanches of storm snow are very likely on steep slopes at all elevations. People are very likely to trigger avalanches on slopes steeper than about 30°, and avalanches could be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below steep slopes.
    • Wind slab avalanches, consisting of drifted storm snow, are likely in wind exposed terrain at all elevations. Natural cornice falls and large wind slab avalanches will be increasingly likely as strong winds load tremendous amounts of fresh snow into avalanche starting zones. Wind slabs are most likely found on the lee side of major ridges and corniced slopes facing northwest through southeast, but also in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gullies, scoops, and cliff bands.
    • Large and dangerous avalanches stepping down into older snow on one of several buried persistent weak layers are also likely, especially in areas with shallow snow and poor snow structure. Audible collapses (whumpfs) and shooting cracks are sure signs of instability, but these may not be present when avalanches occur. Avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer might be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below steep slopes.

Recent Activity

Many slopes in Beaver Canyon naturally avalanched overnight Thursday into Friday. These 6-10" deep storm slabs failed on preexisting weak surface snow, mainly on rocky or steep rollovers and cliffy areas. Though none of these were large enough to bury anyone, they are excellent indicators of instability. Natural avalanches also likely occurred in the Wellsvilles, though our visibility has been limited. I expect we'll see large natural avalanches throughout the zone with any clearing.

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

Heavy snowfall and drifting by strong and sustained winds have created very dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are very likely, so people should avoid traveling in avalanche terrain and runout zones. Storm snow is overloading a widespread weak layer of near-surface facets and graupel, capping a very hard melt/freeze crust in most areas. This is particularly concerning on snow-covered slopes at lower and mid-elevations, where the recrystallized snow on the dusty crust is shallow. The hard crust will likely be a slick bed surface for many avalanches today. The Logan area mountains have picked up 3" of snow water equivalent in the past 48 hours. That's a lot of weight to add to any snowpack, so it's a better terrain choice today to play in the meadows and on low-angle slopes with no overhead hazard where there is plenty of fresh snow.

-The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 11 inches of new snow with 1.7" SWE in the last 24 hours and 3" SWE in the past 48 hours. It's20° F, with 90 inches of total snow. The Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet reports 6 inches of new snow. It's 16° F, with 63 inches of total snow.

Winds were quite active yesterday, blowing snow up, down, and across slopes. Currently, winds on Logan Peak are blowing from the northwest in the teens MPH but are expected to pick up today and gust into the 30's MPH. It's 12°F. At 9500 feet, Paris Peak is also 12° F, with winds blowing 22 to 33 mph from the west.

The Winter Storm Warning continues through today, and we'll see the storm move out of the zone this afternoon. The Logan area mountains could pick up a few more inches of snow, though today's real weather story will be the colder temperatures and strong winds. Expect a high temperature at 8500 feet, around 19° F, with winds blowing from the northwest at around 15 mph, with gusts near 35 MPH. We get a brief break in the action before another storm system arrives on Sunday morning.

Please read our forecasts before heading out into the backcountry - we've had four avalanche fatalities this season and do not want another.

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

On Saturday, February 8, a skier was killed by an avalanche in the Salt Lake Area Mountains. Photo below. We have completed our report and our hearts go out to the family, friends, and all who are affected by this tragic accident.

Avalanche Warning

  • The avalanche danger is HIGH today.
  • Very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected through the weekend.
  • Heavy snow and drifting by strong winds have created widespread areas of unstable snow and very dangerous avalanche conditions at all elevations. Natural and human-triggered avalanches are very likely.
  • People should avoid traveling in all avalanche terrain and stay out of avalanche runouts. This means staying off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

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.

Regions covered