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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Tuesday morning, January 21, 2025
Heightened avalanche conditions and MODERATE danger exist in drifted upper-elevation terrain where people could trigger slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow on slopes steeper than 30°. The snow is generally stable elsewhere, and the avalanche danger is LOW on most slopes in the backcountry.
Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and practice safe travel protocols by only exposing one person at a time to avalanche risk.
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Weather and Snow
It's quite a bit warmer this morning compared to yesterday, but the winds increased. Be prepared for frigid temperatures again today. It's 1° F at the summit of Paris Peak this morning, and 40 mph winds are making a -28° F wind chill! Plan for complications due to the cold; bring extra layers, warm drinks, and a fire starter in case of an emergency. Keep an eye on your partners, as frostbite and hypothermia are significant concerns.
Wicked wnds from the west picked up significantly yesterday afternoon and evening, and they continued overnight. With plenty of light snow from the weekend available for transport, our primary avalanche concern today is that people could trigger wind slab avalanches at upper elevations and on steep drifted slopes. Wind slab avalanches, 1 to 2 feet thick, are most likely on the lee side of major ridgelines and in and around terrain features, where winds deposited stiff drifts. Some wind slabs formed on preexisting weak surface snow and might be quite sensitive and easy to trigger.
Isolated deep slab avalanches, breaking 2 to 4 feet deep on a persistent weak layer near the ground, are unlikely, yet the consequences could be severe. The likelihood of triggering a persistent deep hard slab avalanche is very low, but we are still suspicious of slopes holding poor snowpack structure, mainly on the north half of the compass. Be cautious of rocky, windswept slopes at upper elevation, and areas with generally shallow snow cover, around 3 feet deep or less, are the most suspect.
-The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 5° F, with 58 inches of total snow (96% of normal SWE for the date).
-At the CSI weather station at 9700 feet on Logan Peak, winds are blowing from the west this morning at 36 mph with gusts of 46 mph, and it's 2° F, with a windchill of -25° F.
At our Card Canyon station, it's 0° F at 8800 feet, and there is 45 inches of total snow.
-On Paris Peak at 9500 feet, it is 0° F and the winds are blowing from the west-southwest at 38 mph with gusts of 43 mph. The windchill is -28° F.
Here's the NWS piont forecast for the Naomi Peak Area: Today: Sunny, with a high near 16. Wind chill values as low as -19. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -14. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 17. Wind chill values as low as -14. Blustery, with a northwest wind 16 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Cold temperatures and wicked wind are the headlines for the next couple of days before a gradual warmup toward the end of the week. Once again, snow is likely in the Bear River Range over the weekend, perhaps starting on Friday afternoon and continuing through 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
  • There were no recent avalanches reported locally. Read about all avalanches and observations in the Logan Zone HERE.
  • ***Remember, the information you share about avalanches you see or trigger in the backcountry could save lives.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
It is possible to trigger slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow today. Drifting overnight built stiff wind slabs of the weekend's fresh snow in exposed upper-elevation terrain. Some of these could be quite sensitive as they were formed on weak surface snow. Stiffer wind slabs may let a person get well out on them before suddenly releasing
  • Avalanches of wind-drifted snow are most likely on the lee side of major ridges, especially on slopes capped by cornices.
  • Fresh wind slabs may be found in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, gullies, and scoops.
  • Wind-drifted snow is generally stiffer than the surrounding powder, and wind slabs can produce hollow drum-like sounds. Watch for shooting cracks as an obvious sign of instability.
While the snow is stable on most slopes, a dormant, persistent weak layer near the ground is still a potential problem in isolated or outlying terrain with poor snow structure. Deep slab avalanches are possible in extreme mountain terrain, and rocky, windswept slopes with thin snow cover are suspect. Isolated hard slab avalanches might be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below.
Additional Information
Matt made it up to the Garden City Bowls yesterday, and his observation is HERE. The extreme temperature gradient in the upper layers of his snowpit indicates potential rapid near-surface facet development. (The development of a probable persistent weak layer)
Strong winds scoured the snow off of windward slopes and deposited it as stiff wind slabs where they decelerated.
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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