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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Thursday, December 13, 2018
This morning there is CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger on drifted upper elevation slopes. Wind drifted snow has created new soft slabs up to 18" deep that will be sensitive to a skier or rider today. Dangerous human triggered avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer near the ground remain possible on upper elevation north facing slopes.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
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Check out the new free online avalanche course series developed by the Utah Avalanche Center. This is a great way to refresh your skills or prepare you for a Backcountry 101 or Level 1 class. HERE
Weather and Snow
Sustained westerly winds during yesterday's storm drifted the snow into sensitive wind slabs. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on upper elevation slopes this morning, but I expect the drifted snow to gain stability pretty quickly today. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 10" of new snow with 1" SWE from yesterday's storm. It's 12º F and there's 39"of total snow, containing 103% of average SWE for the date. It's 7º F and west winds are blowing 20 mph and gusting into the thirties this morning at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station.
It'll be sunny in the mountains today with high temperatures around 25º F today at 8500' and wind chill values as low as -8. Expect a west wind 9 to 11 mph. It should be partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 13º F and 7 to 9 mph west wind. It'll be mostly sunny tomorrow with high temperatures around 34º F and 7 to 13 mph south-southwest wind.
Here's a short video from earlier in the week showing snow conditions.
Recent Avalanches
No avalanches have been observed or reported in the Logan Zone recently.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Wind drifted snow has created new soft slabs up to 18" deep that will be sensitive to a skier or rider today. Stiff slabs of wind drifted snow formed in exposed terrain during yesterday's storm.
Wind drifts formed on the lee sides of major ridges and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, scoops, gullies, and sub-ridges.
Avoid steep slopes that have a smooth, rounded appearance, or that sound hollow like a drum.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Avalanches failing on persistent weak layers remain possible on upper elevation slopes with poor snow structure. Although becoming less likely with time, dangerous human triggered avalanches 1 to 3 feet deep as still possible.
  • Collapsing and cracking indicate that the snow is unstable.
General Announcements
The new UAC IOS mobile app is now available on the app store. Check out the new "My Weather" feature. HERE
Check out the new free online avalanche course series developed by the Utah Avalanche Center. This is a great way to refresh your skills or prepare you for a Backcountry 101 or Level 1 class. HERE
Now is a great time to practice companion rescue techniques with your backcountry partners. Here is our practice video.
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This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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