Logan

The snow on most slopes is stable, and the avalanche danger is LOW in the backcountry. Exceptions exist on recently drifted slopes steeper than 30°, where people might trigger avalanches of wind-drifted snow failing 1-2 feet deep on sugary, faceted snow. Small, loose, wet avalanches are possible on steep, sunny slopes as mountain temperatures rise above freezing for the first time in weeks.

Use normal caution and continue to follow safe travel protocols by exposing only one person at a time to avalanche risk.

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.

• Yesterday, observers noticed a couple of small recent natural avalanches of wind-drifted snow in the Mt Naomi Wilderness. Their report is HERE
• On Friday, a snowboarder unintentionally triggered and was caught and carried by a hard wind slab avalanche. Luckily, they were uninjured, and we are grateful they were willing to share their story. HERE
• 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.

Recent strong winds destroyed last week's nice powder in most areas, and stiff drifts, windboard, and satrugi are widespread across the zone, even in normally sheltered and forested areas. There are recently formed drifts in unusual or unexpected places at all elevations. The snow surface has taken a beating, and finding consistent areas with soft snow is challenging, even though an inch or two of new snow filled in tracks and smoothed out the snow surface on Saturday. Riding is a bit tricky because the snow is deceptively inconsistent. It's solid and supportable on most slopes, with interspersed pockets of recrystallized powder. Most slopes sport shallowly buried wind or sun crusts, and you never feel sure whether or not the crust will break under your weight and throw you off balance.

Subject to an extreme temperature gradient caused by a prolonged dry spell with cold temperatures and clear nights, the snow near the surface has become very weak and faceted. Strong winds blowing from all directions last week and over the weekend built stiff slabs on this layer of weak snow, and some could be balanced, awaiting someone to come along and trigger them. Watch for shooting cracks indicating instability, and avoid hollow-sounding or rounded pillows of snow. Today's winds are blowing from the east again, and east winds are unusual, so look for wind slabs in unusual places and avoid them.

-The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 27° F, with 56 inches of total snow. At the Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, it's 22° F and there is 43 inches of total snow.

-At the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700 feet, winds are blowing lightly from the east 34 mph, with gusts around 40 mph, and it's 22° F. On Paris Peak, at 9500 feet, it is 24° F, and the winds are blowing from the east-northeast at 10 to 12 mph.

NWS Point Fx for Naomi Peak area: Today: Sunny, with a high near 34° F. Wind chill values as low as -6° F. East-northeast wind around 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 13° F. Wind chill values as low as 3° F. East wind around 10 mph. Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 35° F. Wind chill values as low as 2° F. East-northeast wind 7 to 9 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Expect sunshine and warm temperatures in the mountains throughout most of the work week. Clouds will increase on Friday, and some light snowfall is possible. Snow is expected over the weekend in the Logan Zone, and it could be heavy at times...

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

Anna R. found some wind-jacked snow in Logan Dry Canyon on Sunday, even in the normally sheltered forest. Her observation is HERE

-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.