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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
There is MODERATE avalanche danger in drifted upper elevation terrain. People could trigger shallow slab avalanches of fresh wind drifted snow, and small loose avalanches or sluffs are possible in very steep terrain. Otherwise, the snow is generally stable where not effected by the wind, large avalanches are unlikely, and the danger is LOW at mid and lower elevations.
  • People should use normal caution and evaluate snow and terrain carefully if they venture into drifted terrain.
  • Always keep an eye on your partners, travel one at a time in and below terrain steeper than 30°, and have a plan if an avalanche were to happen.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
Seems like more in some places, like on my sidewalk, but the remote stations in the Bear River Range report 2 or 3 inches of new snow from overnight. Not really enough to change things much, the surface powder refresh is always welcome and nice powder riding conditions can still be found in many places and at all elevations.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 12° F and 82"of total snow, 2" new. The CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' is showing winds blowing from the north-northwest around 25 mph.
This morning snow showers should cease and this afternoon will be cold and partly sunny, with high temperatures at 8500' about 16° F and 10 to 15 mph winds blowing from the northwest, creating wind chill values around -8° F.
Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a good chance of snow showers. Expect low temperatures around 6° F, 10 mph northwest winds, and wind chill values around -8° F.
Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy and cold, with a chance of snow in the afternoon, high temperatures around 17° F and 10 to 15 mph winds blowing from the west.
***Expect a winter storm and rising avalanche danger in the backcountry to finish off the work week, with periods of heavy snow and intensifying winds from the west-southwest on Friday, and a foot to 18 inches of accumulation expected at upper elevations in the Bear River Range by Saturday afternoon.
Recent Avalanches
Some loose wet avalanches occurred in the middle of the day in Wood Camp on Monday...HERE. Otherwise in the Logan Zone, only a few small avalanches of wind drifted snow were reported in the last week or so.
Find a list of all observations & avalanches from across Utah HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
People might trigger shallow soft slab avalanches in drifted terrain. Mostly a problem at upper elevations, but drifts and soft wind slabs could be found down lower as well.
  • Moderate but sustained winds from the northwest enlarged cornices and built new drifts and fresh wind slabs overnight and in the past few days. Some of these may have formed on weakening surface snow and could be pretty sensitive.
  • Avoid corniced slopes and stiffer drifts on steep slopes near ridges and in and around terrain features like under cliff bands, sub-ridges, mid-slope break-overs, and gully walls..
  • Even a small wind slab avalanche can have large consequences if you get swept into trees or other terrain traps.
Avalanche Problem #2
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
In general in the Logan zone, the snowpack is deep and stable. Large avalanches are unlikely, but people still need to pay attention and to follow basic avalanche safety protocols.
  • Loose avalanches entraining light surface snow are possible on very steep slopes at all elevations, and on sustained slopes these can pick up speed and volume pretty quickly. Stay out from under your partners and other parties and avoid very steep terrain where you could be swept into trees, gullies or other terrain traps.
  • Today the danger is Low on mid and lower elevation slopes, but remember 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.
  • There are still isolated areas with poor snow structure, primarily where the snow is shallower, where dangerous deep slab avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer are unlikely, but still a possibility.
General Announcements
  • 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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