Forecast: Logan Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

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Weather and Snow

Overnight winds increased a notch, veering from the west-southwest. Drifting may have created pockets of unstable snow in exposed upper elevation terrain, primarily on slopes facing the eastern half of the compass, and people could trigger small avalanches of wind-drifted snow today. It is still possible to find soft recrystallized snow or "loud powder" on select lower-angle sheltered slopes; however, untracked snow surface conditions are quite variable across the zone, and crusts of varying thickness are found in sunny terrain. Total snow depths are four to five feet in upper elevations, but in low and mid-elevations, they are exceptionally thin, creating hazardous travel conditions due to rocks, downed trees, and barely covered branches.

This morning at the UAC Card Canyon weather station at 8700 feet, it's a chilly 9°F, and there is 41.5 inches of total snow. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 16°F and 2 inches of new snow from yesterday, with 55 inches of total snow. On Logan Peak at 9700 feet, winds are blowing from the west-southwest at 36 mph and gusting to 45 mph. It's 8°F (and the wind chill is -15°F) on Paris Peak at 9500 feet, and the wind is blowing from the southwest at 30 mph and gusting to 40 mph.

It will be cold in the mountains again today, with 8500' highs around 23° F and winds blowing from the west-southwest at 10 - 15 mph (wind chill in upper-elevation, exposed terrain will be around -8°F). The weather is expected to remain cold, dry, and somewhat unsettled through Thursday, which should help limit valley haze. There's faint hope for a few snowflakes in the Bear River Range on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

Recent Avalanches

No avalanches have been reported recently. For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan Zone, go HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Traveling conditions are decent in the backcountry, and the snow is generally stable. You can expect generally safe avalanche conditions, but remember, LOW danger doesn't mean there's NO danger. Now is a great time to get out in the mountains, explore new terrain, and practice companion rescue with your backcountry partners in the fresh air and sunshine.

Watch for and avoid stiff drifts or wind slabs formed by redeposition on weak surface snow consisting of near-surface facets or surface hoar.
The surface snow continues to weaken, and small loose avalanches of sugary, faceted snow are increasingly possible on very steep slopes.
Travel with a partner, and cross or ride slopes steeper than 30 degrees one at a time while the rest of your group watches from a safe spot.
Ensure that everyone in the group has avalanche rescue equipment (a transceiver, probe, and shovel) and knows how to use it.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

People might trigger small avalanches of wind-drifted snow where wind slabs recently formed on preexisting weak surface snow in exposed upper-elevation terrain.

Avoid and stay out from under stiffer pockets of recently drifted snow on steep slopes.
Wind slabs may have formed or have been cross-loaded in and around terrain features like mid-slope roll-overs, gullies, under cliff bands, or sub-ridges.
Wind slabs are often chalky, rounded, and smooth, and they can sound hollow, like a drum.

Additional Information

A layer of small near-surface facets, pictured above, is just one of the many weak surface layers we are currently tracking. Once buried, this will likely become a problem persistent weak layer.

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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-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

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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.

General Announcements

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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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures