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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Dave Kelly
Issued by Dave Kelly on
Sunday morning, December 24, 2023
Yesterday's 2-3" of new snow is a welcome addition to this season's snowpack.
The avalanche danger will be MODERATE today at the highest elevations and across ridgetops. Natural wind-drifted snow avalanches are unlikely, but human-triggered avalanches could be possible. Look for and avoid shallow slabs of wind-drifted snow that may have developed in upper-elevation terrain and along ridgelines. These wind-drifted avalanches could be up to 12" deep.
The danger is LOW in mid and lower-elevation terrain.
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Weather and Snow
Yesterday, there were reports of 2-3" of new snow throughout the Logan Area Forecast Region. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 44 inches of total snow, with overnight temperatures in the mid-teens °F. The CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' had overnight temperatures in the single digits ° F and winds blowing from the northwest 14-20 MPH with gusts up to 29 MPH. The temperature is 7°F at the new Card Canyon weather station, with 34.5" of total snow on the ground. The new Paris Peak weather station in Southern Idaho is reporting overnight temperatures in the single digits °F with winds blowing from the north 5 gusting to 11 MPH with a max overnight gust of 25 MPH. Wind chills throughout the region are well below 0 °F
For today, winds will blow lightly from the northwest 5-10MPH gusting to 15MPH at the highest ridgelines. Skies will be clear with temperatures 15-20°F. No new snow is expected today.
Prior to yesterday's snow we found stable and variable snow conditions near Garden City Bowls and in the Bunchgrass Area. Even with warm temperatures and high pressure, we found surface hoar and sugary surface snow (consisting of near-surface facets) on shaded east-facing terrain. Dig down below the new snow to see if these crystals are under the newest snow as they are a sensitive weak layer when buried.
Recent Avalanches
No recent avalanches were reported in the Logan Zone. In the mountains south of Logan, backcountry travelers reported natural and human triggered shallow loose dry avalanches running in steep terrain and I would expect the same could be found in the Logan area mountains.
  • Local observations are available HERE.
  • Visit our avalanche page to check out this season’s activity across Utah.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Recent wind speeds are ideal to transport the new snow across the mountains. Today, look for and avoid places where blowing snow has created rounded-pillowy drifts. You are likely to see this wind-drifted snow mainly near ridgetops and around terrain features like gullies and cliffs in higher elevation terrain. These wind-drifted avalanches could be up to 12" deep.
Avalanche Problem #2
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
We have an older December Persistent Weak Layer (PWL) that is buried 4-8" off the ground and while it has been a while since we have seen natural avalanche activity on this layer the very nature of this PWL is that any additional weight could be enough to tip the scales. While I don't think that yesterday's 2-3" of new snow and wind is enough to trigger this now dormant weak layer, I don't trust it and the best advice I can give is to follow good backcountry protocols when traveling on terrain where this PWL is buried. Greg and Nikki had a forecaster discussion about this buried PWL layer the other day that applies to the Logan Zone. Check it out HERE.
  • Always follow safe backcountry travel protocols when traveling on or under slopes steeper than about 30°
  • Be sure everyone in your party has working avalanche rescue equipment, including a transceiver, probe, and shovel. Practice with this equipment regularly, and include and instruct new partners
  • Cross avalanche paths and runout zones one person at a time, with the rest of the party watching from a safe place
  • Reevaluate and be willing to change your plans if you encounter apparent signs of instability
  • Up high on slopes facing west, north, and east, triggering a dangerous avalanche failing on a persistent weak layer is unlikely but remains possible in isolated outlying terrain where a thick hard slab of heavy snow from early December overlies weak, sugary snow from November
Additional Information
This fall, we installed two new weather stations in the Logan Zone. The Paris Peak Weather Station (available HERE) and the Card Canyon Weather Station (available HERE)
The Card Canyon weather station at 8700' on Red Pine Ridge.
General Announcements
  • Taking time to check your companion rescue gear and practice with your transceiver is essential. Watch a short video here.
  • IMPORTANT: Read Mark's blog about electromagnetic interference of avalanche transceivers HERE.
  • We will update this forecast tomorrow morning before 7:30 AM.
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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