Forecast: Logan Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Issued by Toby Weed on
Monday morning, January 12, 2026

MODERATE: The snow is generally stable, and the avalanche danger is LOW in most areas. However, people should carefully evaluate the snow and terrain, as exceptions may exist on upper-elevation slopes steeper than 30 degrees, where avalanches of wind-drifted snow remain possible. Additionally, warm midday temperatures will elevate the danger of loose wet avalanches on sunny slopes.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Riding conditions over the weekend were the best they’ve been all season, and people found plenty of fresh, cold powder across the zone. Sunny slopes picked up some warmth in calm conditions yesterday, and many will be crusty today, while shaded and northerly aspects should still hold soft, dry snow. The snow appears to be mostly stable across the zone, with minimal recent activity and no reported or observed avalanches failing on a sugary persistent weak layer near the ground since December. All the rain and warmth leading up to Christmas saturated the weak faceted snow from November, and recent colder temperatures have now solidly refrozen the base of the snowpack. Our concerns today include avalanches of wind-drifted snow in steep, exposed terrain, and increasing potential for wet avalanches on sunny slopes as daytime temperatures rise. There’s no shortage of great terrain to enjoy, but if you choose to step onto slopes steeper than 30 degrees, only expose one person at a time, evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, and make sure everyone in your group has a beacon, shovel, and probe—and knows how to use them.

The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 30°F and 63 inches of total snow. At the UAC Card Canyon weather station at 8700 feet, it's 28°F, and there is 47 inches of total snow. Currently at 9700 feet on Logan Peak, the wind is blowing 19 to 25 mph from the west-northwest. It's 30°F on Paris Peak, and the wind sensor, freed of rime early this morning, reports wind from the west around 25 mph. Today will be another stunning day in the mountains with a 8500' high of 36°F, mostly sunny skies, and light winds blowing from the west-northwest. Expect more of the same for the upcoming week, as a strong ridge of high pressure continues to dominate the weather pattern over the west. Our next chance for snow may not be until the last week of January.

Recent Avalanches

Saturday, UAC Observer Ken Thompson spotted a natural avalanche on the West Face of Cherry Peak, which likely occurred on 1/9. The wind slab avalanche was the result of cross-loading winds. (PC: Thompson)

For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan Zone, go HERE.

Type

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Description

Human-triggered wind slab avalanches remain possible today, especially on exposed, upper-elevation slopes where snow has been recently drifted by wind. Cornices built by storm winds may break farther back than expected and could trigger avalanches on the slopes below.

Watch for signs of wind drifts such as rounded, pillow-like features, chalky or stiff snow, hollow or drum-like sounds, and cracking underfoot.
Softer, newly formed wind slabs are generally easier to trigger, while older, harder slabs can be more deceptive— sometimes allowing people to travel well out onto them before failing suddenly.
Avoid travel on or beneath cornices and on steep slopes with stiff deposits of wind-drifted snow.

We have not seen recent avalanches failing on buried persistent weak layers, and snowpit tests continue to show improving stability. However, poor snowpack structure still likely exists in isolated, steep, rocky terrain with a shallow snowpack. In these areas, a wind slab avalanche could step down into older weak snow, resulting in a much larger and more dangerous slide.

In the Ogden Zone, a snowmobiler triggered a sizeable wind slab avalanche in the Monte Cristo area Saturday. Luckily, the rider who did not have avalanche rescue equipment was able to ride off to the side.

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Likelihood

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Warm mountain temperatures and solar warming will elevate the danger of loose wet avalanches on sunny slopes, especially in the middle of the day. Roller balls, pinwheels, and small wet sluffs indicate unstable, saturated surface snow.

Additional Information

We checked out the snow near the Card Canyon weather station on Thursday. Video here.

Use safe travel practices: travel with a partner, and cross or ride steep slopes one at a time while the rest of your group watches from a safe spot.

Are you interested in learning more about avalanches? Visit our education page for details on all our classes.

For more information, visit the UAC weather page here: UAC Weather Page For Logan-specific weather, go here: Logan Mountain Weather

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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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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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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