Avalanche forecast

Logan

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

There is MODERATE avalanche danger and human-triggered avalanches are possible on upper-elevation slopes facing northwest through east. With widespread weak snow blanketing the base of our snowpack, a person's weight could be enough to trigger small slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow on slopes steeper than 30°. Red flags like cracking and collapsing will be less apparent. There is still insufficient snow for avalanches on most slopes at lower elevations.

Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, especially in drifted, upper-elevation terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Heavy snowfall and drifting last Tuesday overloaded slopes plagued by very weak, sugary, or faceted snow, elevating the avalanche danger. These avalanches are possible on steep, heavily wind-loaded slopes, though becoming less likely as the snowpack adjusts to the new load.

    • Avalanches of wind-drifted snow are possible in drifted terrain where wind slabs have formed on slopes with poor snow structure. These could be 1 ' to 2' thick and perhaps 30 to 60 feet wide.
    • Some soft slab avalanches could step down into faceted snow near the ground.
    • Cracking and collapsing or "whumpfs" are red flags indicating unstable snow, but may be less apparent today.
    • Although the likelihood diminishes with the stagnant weather, avalanches might still be triggered remotely or from a distance.
    • There have been six human-triggered avalanches in the SLC area mountains in the last 5 days - all failing on similar buried, weak faceted snow.

Special Announcement

SAVE THE DATES!

Tuesday, December 3 - The 21st Annual Pray for Snow Fundraiser/Party at The Cache, Logan. Information and tickets available here.

Wednesday, December 4 - USU KBYG (Know Before You Go) Night, USU ARC

Saturday, December 7 - 17th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) - Information and tickets available here.

Recent Activity

Observers this past week reported triggering a few audible collapses or "whumpfs" in generally north-facing terrain above around 8000'. These triggered collapses indicate unstable snow.

Thanksgiving Day, a snowboarder or skier triggered a small soft slab avalanche in west Miller Bowl. The avalanche was about 20 feet wide and perhaps 7 inches deep.

Snow and Weather

Today, people could trigger small wind slab avalanches in the backcountry. Weak, sugary, or faceted snow from early November is widespread in upper-elevation terrain. Our pre-Thanksgiving storm was a nice refresher but may have overloaded some upper-elevation slopes with poor snowpack structure. In exposed terrain, the wind built stiffer slabs on top of the underlying weak snow, and small wind slab avalanches are possible. Though there may not be enough snow on many slopes to bury you, a ride over rocks in even a small avalanche could be quite dangerous and consequential.

The 8500' Tony Grove Snotel reports 23°F and 20 inches of total snow on the ground. It's 17°F at the 8800' UAC Card Canyon weather station, with 22 inches of total snow.

  • Currently at 9700' at the CSI Logan Peak weather station, it's 18°F and the wind is blowing from the west 32 mph, with gusts to 34 mph. At 9500' on UAC Paris Peak it's 18°F, and winds are from the west 24 to 29 mph.
  • Expect clear, sunny skies today, a high of 29°F at 8500', and light westerly winds. The forecast is the same for tomorrow, with slightly warmer temperatures. And the next day.
  • A high-pressure system will control the weather pattern and, for at least the next week, we can expect stable atmospheric conditions with fair weather in the mountains and building haze in the valleys.

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

Toby revisited the November 25, 1989 Mark Miller Accident in the PowerPoint presentation above.

The video is from last year, but the message is still relevant to the early season. Take the time now to check your companion rescue equipment and refresh your skills with backcountry partners.

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

-Sign up for forecast region-specific text message alerts. You will receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings...HERE.

-For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.

-To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE.

-Remember that the Tony Grove Road is not maintained for winter driving. Treacherous snow-covered and icy conditions will be encountered. 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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