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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, January 10, 2024
There is a HIGH avalanche danger on drifted slopes in the backcountry. Heavy snowfall and strong winds are creating very dangerous conditions. The danger will continue to rise and become more widespread today.
Avoid travel in avalanche terrain at all elevations. People should stay off of and out from under drifted slopes steeper than 30°
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Avalanche Warning
Strong winds and heavy snowfall have created widespread areas of dangerous avalanche conditions. Both human triggered and natural avalanches are likely. Stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30°.
Special Announcements
Sign up for forecast region-specific text message alerts. You will receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings...HERE
Weather and Snow
Strong and sustained mountain winds blowing from the west and southwest are finding plenty of fresh powder to drift into avalanche starting zones, creating stiff slabs and very dangerous avalanche conditions. Yesterday evening, the obvious snow squall and frontal passage caused the wind to gust close to 80 mph on Logan Peak. On Paris Peak, winds sustained 25 to 30 mph wind speeds with gusts in the 40s all day, blowing from the south and southwest. The wind stayed pretty strong overnight and continues to blow from the southwest this morning, and it's a chilly 3° F.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 11° F and 10 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours with 1" SWE, mostly from overnight.
A layer of very weak, sugary, or faceted snow from the December dry spell is widespread across the mountains of Northern Utah. Avalanches are likely today and will become increasingly likely as more new snow accumulates on slopes steeper than 30° and drifts into avalanche-starting zones.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Logan Zone through tomorrow morning. Expect a strong winter storm, snow squalls, and blizzard conditions today, with heavy snow and blowing snow. 6 to 10 inches is expected to accumulate during the day at upper elevations...
Snowfall will moderate a bit but continue tomorrow and intensify again on Friday with strong winds. Stormy conditions are expected to intensify again this weekend with periods of heavy snow and strong winds Friday night, Saturday, and Saturday night.
Recent Avalanches
There were numerous loose avalanches and several small avalanches of wind-drifted snow observed in recent days across the zone.
Check out local observations and avalanches HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Layers of weak sugary snow or facets and feathery surface hoar developed during the prolonged December dry spell on and near the snow surface, and the snow in shallow areas became loose and sugary all the way to the ground. As new snow and drifting snow overload slopes plagued by the widespread weak layer avalanches are becoming increasingly likely. Slab avalanches failing on a persistent weak could be large, destructive, and even unsurvivable.
  • Avalanches could be triggered remotely, from a distance, or worse, from below!
  • Collapsing or whumpfs and shooting cracks indicate unstable snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Winds increased in intensity and have been sustained, blowing from the southwest and west for the last 24 hours. Wind-drifted snow now overloads slopes with poor snow structure, and large avalanches are likely.
People should avoid being on and under drifted slopes at all elevations today.
Avalanche Problem #3
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
As new snow stacks up it is overloading slopes plagued by persistent weak layers that are widespread and exist at all elevations across the zone. Natural soft slab and loose avalanches of new snow are possible today on slopes steeper than 30°, even in lower-elevation terrain. People are likely to trigger avalanches at all elevations in the backcountry, so be careful where you walk the dog or build a snowman, and avoid fishing beneath steep slopes with lots of new snow.
Additional Information
The 24 hr (gust) wind rose graph from Logan Peak
Always follow safe travel protocols on or under slopes steeper than 30°.
  • Be sure everyone in your party has working avalanche rescue equipment, including a transceiver, probe, and shovel. Practice with this equipment regularly, and include and instruct new partners.
  • Cross avalanche paths and runout zones one person at a time, with the rest of the party watching from a safe place.
  • Reevaluate and be willing to change your plans if you encounter any signs of instability, like recent avalanches, audible collapses (whumpfs), or cracking in drifted snow.
Two new weather stations are found in the Logan Zone this season. The Paris Peak Weather Station (available HERE) and the Card Canyon Weather Station (available HERE)
General Announcements
  • For all questions on forecasts, education, KBYG, events, online purchases, or fundraising: call 801-365-5522.
  • To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry: go HERE
  • Read Mark's blog about electromagnetic interference of avalanche transceivers HERE.
    We will update this forecast by 7:30 AM tomorrow.
    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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