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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Monday morning, January 27, 2025
Drifting by strong winds created areas with MODERATE avalanche danger, primarily in exposed upper-elevation terrain. Heightened avalanche conditions exist at all elevations on recently drifted slopes steeper than 30°, where wind slabs formed on a persistent weak layer of faceted surface snow, and people could trigger 1-2 feet thick slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow. The danger is LOW in sheltered mid and lower-elevation terrain in the backcountry.
Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, and reconsider your route if it takes you onto or under steep slopes with recent deposits of wind-drifted snow.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
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.
Weather and Snow
Saturday's east wind really messed up the nice powder in the backcountry. On Logan Peak, wind speeds averaged near 25 MPH, with gusts in the 40s MPH all day. Snow was carried far downslope towards Cache Valley, and there are recently formed wind slabs in unusual or unexpected places at all elevations. The snow surface has taken a beating, and finding consistent areas with soft snow is challenging. Wind-jacked snow was observed on slopes facing all directions and at all elevations yesterday. Riding is a bit bumpy, and the snow is solid and supportable on most slopes, but you never feel sure whether or not the crust will break and catch a ski.
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 of these 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. East winds are unusual, so look for and avoid wind slabs in unusual places.
-The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 21° F, with 56 inches of total snow. At the Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, it's 21° 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 southwest 2 to 5 mph, and it's 21° F. On Paris Peak, at 9500 feet, it is 9° F, the winds are blowing from the northeast at 8 to 10 mph.
NWS Point Fx for Naomi Peak area: Today: Sunny, with a high near 33. Wind chill values as low as -14. East-northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as low as zero. East-northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 35. Wind chill values as low as -3. East wind around 10 mph.
Expect sunshine and warm temperatures in the mountains throughout the work week. The next chance for snow comes on Saturday...
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
Recent Avalanches
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
East winds are always a bit strange for the Logan area. They race across the range, pull snow down towards Cache Valley, and crossload many normally protected slopes. Over the weekend we observed drifting snow down to about 7000 feet, and we expect to find wind slabs in strange places. These slabs are easy to identify and may produce hollow drum-like sounds. Wind-drifted snow is generally stiffer than the surrounding snow.
  • Wind-drifted snow is most likely to be found on the lee side of ridges, near cornices, and around terrain features like cliff bands and gullies.
  • Many slabs may be sensitive and easy to trigger, though hard slabs may release suddenly, similar to Friday’s unintentionally triggered avalanche.
  • Watch for shooting cracks, a clear sign of instability, and be aware that some slabs may trigger remotely.
Avalanche Problem #2
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Deep hard slab avalanches are unlikely, yet still possible in outlying or extreme mountain terrain. A dormant, persistent weak layer near the ground is still a potential problem on recently drifted outlying slopes, and rocky, windswept slopes in northerly-facing terrain with thin snow cover are suspect. Isolated hard slab avalanches might be triggered from a "sweet spot" or a shallower part of the slab.
Check out Paige's Blog HERE
Warmer temperatures than we've seen in a while are expected today and tomorrow, and small loose wet avalanches of surface snow are possible on steep slopes in sunny terrain.
Additional Information
Anna found some wind-jacked snow in Logan Dry Canyon yesterday. Her observation is HERE
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
-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.
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