UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Sunday morning, November 25, 2018
There is CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger on upper elevation slopes facing northwest through east. Dangerous human triggered avalanches 1 to 2 feet deep are likely on slopes where weak preexisting snow has been overloaded by the Thanksgiving storm. Heightened avalanche danger also exists on drifted upper and mid elevation slopes. Evaluate the snowpack carefully, use cautious route finding, and make conservative decisions in the backcountry today.
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Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Join us on Wednesday December 5th to celebrate the coming of winter! Our 15th Annual Pray for Snow Party and Fundraiser is at The Cache with music from Two Headed Trout, pizza from Lucky Slice, beverages from Moab Brewery, and a raffle and silent auction if amazing donated items. Thanks for your support of avalanche awareness and education. We look forward to seeing you! Tickets available online: CLICK HERE.
Weather and Snow
The storm has past but dangerous avalanche conditions persist on shady upper elevation slopes. This morning the Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 15º F and 25"of total snow containing 94% of average Snow Water Equivalent. The station picked up well over 2 feet of new snow since Thanksgiving Day with 3.2" SWE. It's 10º F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station and a northwest wind is blowing around 10 mph, gusting to 22 mph.
Recent Avalanches
So far a fairly active weekend in the Central Wasatch Range, with numerous natural and remote triggered avalanche reported.
No avalanches have been reported in the Logan Zone, but good visibility today will allow us to see natural activity from the storm. Please report what you see out there.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Very weak faceted snow exists under the fresh powder on shady upper and mid elevation slopes. Heavy, wind drifted snow overloaded these slopes and triggered persistent slab avalanches, 1 to 2 feet deep remain likely in shady upper elevation terrain today.
The shallow snow under the fresh powder on north facing slopes at upper elevations is plagued by loose, sugary faceted snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Avoid recently drifted snow in steep terrain. Wind slab avalanches are possible even on slopes that were bare before the Thanksgiving storm.
Additional Information
The Tony Grove Road is open but not maintained for winter travel of wheeled vehicles. The road is likely to be sketchy today, perhaps impassable up high due to drifted snow. The road is shared use with vehicles, sleds, pedestrians and dogs, so please use caution, keep your speed down and be nice.
Snow is starting to pile up on the slopes of Beaver Mountain, and managers are glad to allow uphill traffic. You can avoid the Tony Grove Road challenge, find generally safe conditions in lower angled terrain, and help pack out the ski hill. Remember, before it opens Beaver Mountain is the backcountry.
General Announcements
Join the UAC for the 2nd Annual Ogden Backcountry Bash at The Front Climbing Gym in Ogden. Beer, pizza, silent auction, prizes, and climbing! November 29 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM The Front Climbing Club, 225 20th street, Ogden UT 84401
Utah State University Outdoors Program is hosting a Know Before You Go avalanche awareness clinic on Wednesday November 28th at 7pm at the OP Rental Shop. The event is FREE and open to the public.
Weber State University Outdoor Program just installed a new weather station at 7900' near their Bloomington Canyon Yurt in Bear Lake County Idaho. Stay tuned for useful weather data from this, as it will be made available to the public soon.