Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Toby Weed for Monday - November 30, 2015 - 7:17am
bottom line

MODERATE (level 2). Avalanches are unlikely on most slopes except in steep drifted terrain at upper elevations where you could trigger sensitive freshly formed and soft wind slabs, or in some cases more dangerous hidden older hard slabs releasing to the ground on weak sugary or faceted snow.




special announcement

Join us for a free avalanche awareness talk with the USU Outdoor Recreation Program at 7:00 on December 1..... USU ORP classes

Don't miss the 12th annual Utah Avalanche Center in Logan's "Pray for Snow" party and fundraiser, the evening of December 3, again at the Italian Place in Downtown Logan.. For info and tickets go ............HERE

current conditions

A cold morning again, with 2 degrees at CSI Logan Peak and 9 at the UDOT Hwy 89 Summit. A couple more inches fell overnight in the Valley and across the Logan Zone, but the snow is very dry and we did not gain much water or weight. The shallow snow is pretty variable after last week's wind, but it's mostly just "rotten" or faceted and weak. You might find decent shallow powder riding conditions in upper elevations, but you'll probably want to stick to the roads, meadows and smooth, low angled terrain.

Words of warning: Very shallow, early season conditions exist, and you are still likely to hit rocks or woody debris in most areas. The Tony Grove Road is not maintained in the winter for wheeled vehicles, and road conditions are icy, snowy, drifted-in and treacherous, so come prepared. The Tony Grove Area is a shared use area and very popular in the early season, so please watch your speed, use patience, and be respectful of other users. For easier access, Beaver Mt. allows uphill travel and appreciates early season users packing down the weak snow. Remember while the lifts are closed, the area is considered backcountry .

It's time to dust off and check the condition of your avalanche rescue equipment. Review and practice Companion Avalanche Rescue with our video..........HERE****

recent activity

No avalanches were reported locally since November 20, when we picked up a foot of heavy snow containing 2.5 inches of water and several natural avalanches occurred, as well as one above the Tony Grove Campground, remote triggered by a skier which sympathetically released an adjacent pocket.
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 increased overnight and veered from the west this morning, averaging in the upper teens and gusting in the upper twenties at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station. With the few inches of light snow from the weekend, drifting is occurring and fresh wind slabs are forming in deposition areas, especially at upper elevations. These shallow and soft wind slabs will be fairly controllable, but you should use caution especially on steep slopes above trees or other terrain traps.

Hard wind slabs formed in somewhat unusual places with the very strong and sustained east winds around Thanksgiving and these are now buried and obscured from view by a few inches of cold powder. The old slabs are relaxed and no longer very sensitive, but some are like large mouse traps and may wait until you get well out on them before releasing on weak snow near the ground.

weather

A few more inches of light snow may accumulate across the zone today and we'll continue to see a bump in northwesterly wind speeds before calming again and veering from the north later today. High temperatures at 8500' are expected to reach the mid teens today and will drop into the single digits again tonight. A high pressure system will move overhead for the better part of the week, with sunny and milder conditions expected through Thursday...
general announcements

Please submit snow and avalanche observations from your ventures in the backcountry HERE. You can call us at 801-524-5304 or email HERE, or include #utavy in your Instagram or Tweet us @UAClogan. To report avalanche activity in the Logan Area or to contact the local avalanche forecaster call me, Toby, at 435-757-7578. 

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.