Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Toby Weed for Wednesday - December 11, 2013 - 6:30am
bottom line

Heightened avalanche conditions exist and there's a MODERATE (or level 2) danger on drifted slopes at upper and mid-elevations. Avoid steep drifted terrain where you could trigger dangerous wind slab or persistent slab avalanches. Pockets of more dangerous conditions and a CONSIDERABLE (level 3) danger may exist in some drifted areas with more recent accumulation, and triggered wind slab avalanches are probable in some steep terrain. Very shallow and rocky early season snow conditions exist across the Logan Zone, so being caught and carried in even a small avalanche could be very dangerous due to rocks, stumps, and downed trees in the runout. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully.
current conditions

Overall, the snowpack is still quite shallow and rocky across the zone. In many areas you sink to the ground through shallow, weak, and structureless faceted snow, and travel is difficult. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 10 degrees this morning, and there is 25 inches of total snow containing 65% of average water equivalent for the date. The 9700' Logan Peak weather station reports 9 degrees and west northwest winds averaging in the mid teens..

The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for wheeled travel in the winter, and the road is currently very snowy, icy, and treacherous in places. A sled or 4-wheel-drive vehicles and chains are recommended. Be ready to get stuck, bring shovels, extra warm gear, and maybe a sleeping bag or two. If you do ride up, remember that there are lots of pedestrians sharing the road, and you have to watch your speed. Beaver Mountain allows uphill foot travel and usually appreciates the help packing in the shallow snow before opening..

Mt.Magog from the south, shrouded by icy mist on 12-9-2013

A video observation from 12-9-2013 in the Tony Grove Area...... HERE

recent activity

Locally: Although no significant avalanches were recently reported or observed, many have recently experienced localized collapsing and cracking in drifted upper elevation terrain, red flags indicating the existence of unstable snow.

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Northwest winds are not as strong this morning as they were earlier in the week, but the damage is done, drifting the light snow on the surface and creating heightened avalanche conditions. You'll find stiff and freshly formed wind slabs in exposed terrain, especially in and around terrain features like gullies, scoops, sub-ridges, rock outcroppings and cliff bands. More dangerous wind slab avalanche conditions may exist in some drifted areas where more snow accumulated over the weekend. You don't want to be caught and carried by any size avalanche, with very shallow snow and sharp rocks in runout zones. Collapsing and/or shooting cracks are obvious red flags requiring you to reevaluate your route, and you should continue to avoid steep drifted terrain.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Heightened persistent slab avalanche conditions exist in upper and mid-elevation terrain. Slabs are building up thickness and weight on top of preexisting very weak sugary or faceted snow, which is widespread in the region due to the prolonged Thanksgiving high pressure system. You could trigger dangerous avalanches if you venture into steep terrain in some areas, and persistent slab avalanches could be triggered remotely, from a distance, or worse from below. Avoid steep slopes with poor snow structure, (where a slab consisting of stiffer snow sits on top of weak sugary or faceted snow.) Collapsing or "whumpfing" is a sure sign of persistent instability, but persistent slab avalanches also can occur with no apparent warning signs.
weather

A high pressure system will control the weather in our region today, and will bring warmer air into the mountains. It'll be sunny in the mountains today, with a high at 8500' around 21 degrees and moderate west southwest winds. Mountain temperatures will rise further still tomorrow, with a high forecast at 28 degrees. Meanwhile the dreaded inversion will keep valley temperatures cold and valley haze will thicken. Our next chance for a bit of snow comes on Friday, but at this point it doesn't look like much, with 1 to 2 inches of accumulation possible and a few flakes lingering into the weekend.

Check out our one stop weather page........HERE
general announcements

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Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.

I'll issue advisories on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings. 

This advisory is produced by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. It describes only general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist.