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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Saturday, January 21, 2023
You'll find stellar powder conditions in the backcountry. The snow is deep and stable on most slopes, avalanches are generally unlikely, and the danger is LOW. Exceptions exist and people still might trigger avalanches, especially in obviously drifted upper elevation terrain where recent winds formed shallow slabs of stiffer snow on top of the light powder.
Keep an eye on your partners, travel one at a time in avalanche terrain, and have a plan if an avalanche were to happen.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Weather and Snow
In general, powder conditions are excellent across the zone with great coverage. No big storms on the horizon but we'll pick up a few inches to refresh things tomorrow.
This morning the Tony Grove Snotel reports 9° F and 85" of total snow. The CSI Logan Peak weather station is showing winds blowing from the northwest about 25 mph, with gusts in the mid 30's.
Today will be sunny and cold. Temperatures at 8500' will be about 18° F with 10 mph winds blowing from the northwest and wind chill values around -8° F. A few inches of snow is expected to fall in the Logan Zone tomorrow and it will stay cold, with 8500' high temperatures only in the lower teens. Cold weather will continue in the mountains into next week.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanche activity was reported yesterday. Find a list of all observations & avalanches HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Continue to avoid areas of freshly wind-drifted snow on steep slopes. Although wind slab instability usually heals fairly quickly, people still might trigger slab avalanches or cornice falls in steep drifted terrain. Observers report some cracking and obvious and avoidable drifted areas at upper elevations in the Bear River Range.
Avoid corniced slopes and stiffer drifts on steep slopes near ridges and in and around terrain feartures like under cliff bands, sub-ridges, mid-slope breakovers, and gully walls..
Even a small wind slab avalanche can have large consequences.
Avalanche Problem #2
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
In general in the Logan zone, the snowpack is deep and stable. We have dropped the persistent weak layer problem for now as the snowpack has gotten too deep in most places for people to trigger this type of avalanche. There are still areas with poor snow structure though, primarily where the snow is shallower, like in the Wildernesses and some outlying areas.
  • Today, you'll find nice powder conditions at all elevations and on most slopes except south facing slopes which caught a bit of sun yesterday.
  • Remember that Low danger does not mean No danger. If you are in avalanche terrain, avalanches are always possible.
  • Always travel with a partner, only expose one person at a time in steep terrain, and have a plan for what to do in case an avalanche occurs.
  • If you are in an area with shallower snow, it would be a good idea to dig down into the snow - if you can get to the facets fairly quickly, I'd avoid steep slopes in that area.
General Announcements
  • Remember, when you leave the ski area boundary, Beaver Mt or Cherry Peak, you are entering the backcountry, and you could trigger dangerous avalanches.
  • Please submit your observations from the backcountry HERE.
  • For a list of avalanche classes from the Utah Avalanche Center go HERE
  • For information on where you can ride your sled or snowbike, check out this map of the winter travel plan for the Logan and Ogden Ranger Districts HERE, and a close up of the Tony Grove and Franklin Basin Areas 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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