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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Friday, January 11, 2019
CONSIDERABLE: Wind drifted snow remains unstable on some lower elevation slopes with buried persistent weak layers, and dangerous human triggered avalanches are likely. Heightened conditions exist on most other previously drifted slopes. Avalanches are possible on lower elevation slopes in areas that you might not expect to see one. They could impact unsuspecting people who are usually not at risk of avalanches.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, and avoid steep slopes with previously wind drifted snow.
  • Be extra careful in foothill areas where you might normally take the kids sledding or the dog for a walk.
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Weather and Snow
The snow is unstable on some lower elevation slopes and human triggered avalanches are possible in areas where they might threaten unsuspecting people.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 2" of new snow in the last 24 hours. It's 24º F and there's 49" of total snow containing 90% of average SWE. I'm reading 18º F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and northwest winds are currently averaging about 15 mph.
High pressure will reestablish and dominate the weather through the weekend. Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 31º F at 8500'. Expect 11 to 15 mph north wind.
Recent Avalanches
A skier triggered a good sized avalanche running on a persistent weak layer at low elevations on the North Logan Bench Tuesday...See Report HERE
A rider was caught and carried by a relatively small wind slab avalanche near the warming hut in Providence Canyon on Tuesday.
There was a fairly extensive natural avalanche cycle in the Wellsville Range overnight Sunday or early Monday morning. You can see evidence of this from Cache Valley, with an obvious pile of debris spilling onto Maple Bench from a long running avalanche in Gibson Canyon off Mendon Peak. (~2500 vrt') . Numerous natural avalanches were apparent in the area.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Earlier in the week, drifts built up on faceted weak layers, and heightened avalanche conditions exist at all elevations.
  • Watch for and avoid drifted snow on the lee sides of major ridges and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, scoops, gullies, stringers, and sub-ridges.
  • Avoid steep slopes that have a smooth, rounded appearance, or that sound hollow like a drum.
  • Softer, fresh wind slabs may be triggered remotely or from a distance today, while harder wind slabs have a nasty tendency to let you get well out on them before releasing.
  • Cracking or collapsing in the snow are red flags indicating instability.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The shallow snow on the ground in many lower and mid elevation areas has become loose, sugary, and faceted during the cold spell in the past couple weeks. Slabs of stiffer snow formed on top of faceted snow, and if you trigger an avalanche today it will fail on a buried persistent weak layer. Soft slab avalanches stepping down to sugary persistent weak layers are possible even in sheltered terrain.
  • You could trigger avalanches on a persistent weak layer remotely, from a distance, or below.
  • The weak snow on many low elevations slopes will not stabilize very quickly.
Additional Information
I will update this forecast tomorrow morning.
General Announcements
The Beaver Mountain Backside is the backcountry, and it is avalanche terrain. If you cross the ski area boundary, you and your partners should carry and practice with avalanche rescue equipment. As always in the backcountry, practice safe backcountry travel protocols.
Check out the improved weather links, road conditions, and weather links for each forecast region on the new UAC IOS App. Do you use the NOAA point forecast? If so, now you can bookmark your favorite weather locations in "My Weather" in the App. HERE
Are you new to the backcountry or looking to refresh your skills? The UAC has released a free 5-part avalanche skills eLearning series. HERE
Now is a great time to practice companion rescue techniques with your backcountry partners. Here is our practice video.
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This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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