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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, January 22, 2025
Heightened avalanche conditions exist in drifted terrain, and there is MODERATE danger. People could trigger slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow on upper and mid-elevation slopes steeper than 30°. The snow is generally stable in sheltered terrain and at low elevations.
Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, and reevaluate your route if you encounter areas with thick deposits of recently drifted snow.
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Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Urgent battery replacement required for anyone who received batteries from one of our participating "Batteries for Beacons" shops. Please review the "Batteries for Beacons" replacement notice on our blog. HERE
Batteries distributed through our "Batteries for Beacons" program this year have shown to be inadequate length.
Weather and Snow
Wicked winds from the west changed the game in the backcountry yesterday, wrecking the nice powder in exposed terrain and elevating avalanche conditions. The tempest found plenty of light snow from the weekend to pick up in the flats and on windward slopes or fetch areas. Then, as it decelerated, it deposited the snow in stiff drifts on lee slopes and in and around terrain features. Today, people could trigger wind slab avalanches 1 to 2 feet thick, on steep drifted slopes. Many stiff and thick wind slabs built up on preexisting weak surface snow and some might be quite sensitive and easy to trigger. On the other hand, hard wind slabs often allow people to get well out on them before releasing suddenly, like a giant mouse trap. Fresh drifts may have overloaded slopes with poor snow structure, and although unlikely, isolated hard slab avalanches, breaking 2 to 4 feet deep on a persistent weak layer near the ground are possible, and the consequences could be severe. Suspect rocky, windswept slopes and northerly facing terrain with generally shallow snow cover.
Be prepared for frigid temperatures and extreme wind chills in the mountains again today. Plan for complications due to the cold; bring extra layers, warm drinks, a lighter, and fire starters in case of an emergency. Keep an eye on your partners, as frostbite and hypothermia are significant concerns.
-The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 19° F, with 58 inches of total snow.
-At the CSI weather station at 9700 feet on Logan Peak, winds are blowing from the west 30 to 35 mph with gusts around 46 mph, and it's 2° F, with a windchill of -22° F.
At the Card Canyon station at 8800 feet, it's 4° F and there is 44 inches of total snow.
-On Paris Peak at 9500 feet, it is 2° F, and the winds are blowing from the north-northwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 40 mph. The windchill is -20° F.
Gradually warming temperatures and only slightly diminished winds from the northwest are expected in the next couple of days. Once again, snow is likely in the Bear River Range over the weekend, starting on Friday afternoon and continuing through Saturday, with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation possible up high. Clear, cold, and dry weather is expected through at least the first part of next week...
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
Drifting overnight built stiff wind slabs of the weekend's fresh snow in exposed upper-elevation terrain, and it is possible to trigger slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow today.
  • 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.
Drifting may have overloaded isolated slopes with poor snow structure, and although unlikely, dangerous hard slab avalanches are possible. 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. Deep hard 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 on Monday, 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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