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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Monday morning, January 6, 2025
There is CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger on many mid and upper-elevation slopes steeper than 30°, where people are likely to trigger dangerous slab avalanches that fail on a persistent weak layer buried 2 to 3 feet deep. Avalanches could be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below.
Good riding and safer conditions are found in the meadows, in sheltered terrain, and on lower angled slopes away from and out from under steep avalanche-prone terrain.
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Weather and Snow
It's snowing in the Bear River Range this morning, with moderate to heavy snowfall visible on the Beaver Mt. webcams and at the UDOT Summit Sled. Observers reported a rime event with sleet above about 8000 feet in elevation yesterday afternoon, so a thin crust likely developed in open areas. With poor snowpack structure still a major concern, human-triggered avalanches that fail 2 to 3 feet deep on a sugary persistent weak layer near the ground remain likely on many northerly-facing slopes at mid and upper elevations, especially where the wind recently loaded avalanche starting zones. You'll find good shallow powder riding conditions in sheltered, shaded, low-angle terrain not connected to steep terrain. The snow is mostly supportable, and rocks, stumps, and downed trees are almost covered above about 8500', especially in the Central Bear River Range. Low-elevation terrain has only very thin snow cover, especially on southerly-facing slopes that were bare of snow before the snow over the weekend.
-The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 6" of new snow this weekend. It's 25° F, with 60 inches of total snow.
-Winds on Logan Peak ( 9700') are blowing from the west-northwest around 13 mph, and it's 19° F.
-It's 21° F at 8800' at our Card Canyon station, with about 1/2 inche of new snow this morning and 46 inches of total snow.
-On Paris Peak at 9500' in Bloomington Canyon, it is 17° F, and the wind sensor appears to be rimed (or iced) so it's not working.
Snowfall will continue today, and the Bear River Range will see 2 to 4 inches of accumulation up high. At 8500 feet, expect a high temperature of 25° F, with winds from the northwest increasing to 5 to 10 mph.
Light snow continues through tonight before we clear out and get some sunshine tomorrow. It will be mostly sunny, but cold with high temperatures around 21° F, 9 to 13 mph winds from the east-northeast and wind chill values as low as -3° F.
It looks like we'll see some sun and enjoy more benign weather for the remainder of the work 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
We've completed the Davenport Hill and Porter Fork accident reports. Our condolences go out to the victims' families and friends and all those affected by these tragic accidents.
We received a third-person report of a rider caught and carried in a large avalanche in Snowslide Canyon, north of the State Line. The rider was caught, deployed his airbag, was carried, and ended up on top of the debris.
The sled was mostly buried and took a while to extricate. We are still hoping to get more information about this close call. Remember, the information you share about avalanches could save lives.
You can read all recent local observations HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Very weak faceted snow exists near the ground on almost all northerly-facing slopes at upper and mid-elevations. While definitive signs of instability like collapsing are waning, the poor snowpack structure hasn't gone anywhere. It is still our top concern and not to be trifled with. We need to give slopes with poor snow structure and a buried, persistent weak layer more time to heal.
  • Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and collapsing (whumpfs) are signs of unstable snow, but these obvious signs of instability will not always be present when a large avalanche occurs.
  • Avalanches could be triggered remotely (from a distance) or worse, from below steep slopes in the flats.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Drifting has created soft and hard slabs of wind-drifted snow in exposed terrain, which may fail due to poor snowpack structure or at the old/new snow interface.
  • Avalanches of wind-drifted snow are most likely on the lee side of major ridges.
  • Drifting has formed new wind slabs in exposed terrain and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, gullies, and scoops.
  • Soft wind slabs may be quite sensitive, and some may be remotely triggered. Stiff wind slabs may allow you to get out onto them before releasing.
Additional Information
Observers report a rime event yesterday above about 8000 feet in the Bear River Range. Rime occurs when water vapor freezes on exposed objects. Rime grows into the wind.
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
-Sign up for forecast region-specific text message alerts. You will receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings...HERE.
-For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.
-To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE.
-Remember, even though the gate is still open, the Tony Grove Road is not maintained for winter driving.
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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