Logan

Heightened avalanche conditions and MODERATE danger exist on drifted upper and mid-elevation slopes in the backcountry. You could trigger an avalanche of wind drifted snow in exposed terrain. Dangerous deep slab avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer are generally unlikely for a person to trigger, but they remain possible on some upper elevation slopes facing northwest, north, northeast, and east. Deep slab avalanches might be triggered from a shallow area of the slab, so it's a good plan to avoid steep, thin, rocky terrain.

• Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.

I'm sorry to report Utah's first avalanche fatality this season. On Sunday 12-15-19, a 45 year old male snowboarder was killed in a backcountry avalanche in Dutch Draw in the Wasatch Mountains above Park City.

Here is the Accident Report

Locally:

No new avalanches were reported in the Logan Zone since last weekend's natural cycle that occurred during the windy storm.

A large natural avalanche in the Central Wood Camp Bowls. (12-17-19)

It's too warm! 38°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel this morning, and I'm reading 44 inches of total snow, with 112% of average SWE for the date. It's 33°F on Logan Peak, and south winds ramped it up a bit more overnight and are blowing around 41 mph with a 66 mph gust.

Snow in exposed terrain was already getting wind-jacked up in Bloomington Canyon Friday. Stiff drifts probably formed on weak and sugary surface snow in some areas.

Increasing southerly winds aloft today will try to mix out the smog from the valleys. Expect mostly cloudy conditions in the mountains today, with 8500' high temperatures around 40°F and south-southwest winds 22 to 26 mph. It will be mostly cloudy tonight with low temperatures around 17°F, south-southwest winds 18 to 24 mph, and wind chills around zero degrees. It will be partly sunny on Monday, with high temperatures around 34°F, and south wind 11 to 15 mph.

Warm temperatures are causing the nice surface snow to become stiffer, but you can still find very nice and fast recrystallized powder, especially in sheltered terrain. Today's increasing south-southwest winds and continued balmy weather will create more variable surface conditions. Heightened avalanche conditions exist on drifted upper and some mid-elevation slopes. Dangerous and destructive avalanches failing on a deep persistent weak layer are gradually becoming more unlikely, but remain a possibility on some shady upper elevation slopes.

I will update this advisory before about 7:30 Monday morning.

Remember the Beaver Mountain Backside is the backcountry. Buddy up! Everyone venturing beyond the ski area boundary should have a partner(s), beacon, probe, and shovel.

Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, we have discount lift tickets available. All proceeds from these go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education! Get your tickets HERE.

Consider taking an avalanche class, there are many different options. Click on the Education menu for a full list of classes from the UAC and other providers. Check out the Know Before You Go eLearning program for free, online, avalanche classes.... HERE

Need a Christmas present for your favorite backcountry partner? Get one of these cool t-shirts to support the UAC and other avalanche centers across the U.S. HERE

It's key to head into the early avalanche season with the proper mindset. In this podcast, we talk with UAC program director Bo Torrey. Bo talks about particular risks unique to the early season, tips and tricks for knocking the rust off your early season rescue skills, and charts out the path forward with avalanche education. HERE

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.