Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, December 25, 2019
Wednesday morning, December 25, 2019
Heightened avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry, and you could trigger an avalanche of wind drifted snow. Today's fresh snow will hide Monday's obvious hard drifts. Dangerous avalanches failing on a dormant persistent weak layer near the ground are unlikely but still possible. Avoid steep upper elevation rocky or thin slopes facing northwest through east.
You can find generally stable snow and LOW avalanche danger on most slopes in the zone, especially on lower angled slopes, in sheltered terrain, and at lower elevations.
- Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Weather and Snow
It's 23°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel this morning, and there's 2 inches of new snow. I'm reading 45 inches of total snow, with 111% of average SWE for the date. It's 17°F on Logan Peak, and the wind shifted from the northwest and diminished significantly overnight. It's currently blowing around 10 mph from the northwest.
A few inches of Holliday snow will go far to refresh conditions in the backcountry, and it won't be enough to increase the avalanche danger much. The danger is Low and the snow is generally stable on most slopes in the Logan Zone, but heightened conditions exist on some drifted upper and mid-elevation slopes. Strong and sustained southerly winds created stiff drifts and wind slabs in exposed terrain, and a couple inches of new snow will hide these previously obvious wind deposits. Dangerous avalanches failing on a dormant persistent weak layer near the ground are unlikely for a person to trigger, but remain a possibility on isolated upper elevation slopes, especially on very steep rocky slopes with thin snow cover.
Snow showers are likely in the mountains this afternoon, but not much in the way of accumulation is expected. It will be mostly cloudy with 8500' high temperatures around 25°F and 5 to 9 mph west-northwest winds. It will be mostly cloudy tonight, with low temperatures around 13°F, and 5 to 8 mph west-northwest wind becoming southwest after midnight. Snow showers are possible tomorrow morning and it will be cloudy, with high temperatures near 22°F and 5 to 8 mph west-southwest wind.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported in the Logan Zone in the last week.
We checked out a large natural avalanche in the Central Wood Camp Bowls. (12-17-19)
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Human triggered avalanches involving wind drifted snow are possible on upper and some mid elevation slopes. The drifts and hard wind slabs formed by strong south winds over the weekend and Monday were buried and hidden from view by a couple inches of fresh Christmas snow. Shallow, soft drifts of fresh snow are likely to still be sensitive today, and even small avalanches can be very dangerous in shallow snow conditions, because you could be dragged into rocks or stumps.
- Watch for and avoid stiffer drifted snow in and around terrain features like cliff bands, scoops, gully walls, and sub-ridges.
- While soft, fresh drifts may be quite sensitive, harder wind drifts might allow a person to get well out on them before releasing.
- Some wind slab avalanches might be triggered remotely or from a distance.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Weak sugary, faceted snow from late October still lurks near the ground at upper elevations on northwest through east facing slopes. Although gradually becoming unlikely for a person to trigger, large, destructive, and very dangerous avalanches are still possible where this poor snow structure exists. Deep slab avalanches might be triggered from a shallow area of the slab, so it's a good plan to avoid steep, thin, rocky terrain.
General Announcements
Remember the Beaver Mountain Backside is the backcountry. Buddy up! Everyone venturing beyond the ski area boundary should have a partner(s), beacon, probe, and shovel.
Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, we have discount lift tickets available. All proceeds from these go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education! Get your tickets HERE.
Consider taking an avalanche class, there are many different options. Click on the Education menu for a full list of classes from the UAC and other providers. Check out the Know Before You Go eLearning program for free, online, avalanche classes.... HERE
Need a Christmas present for your favorite backcountry partner? Get one of these cool t-shirts to support the UAC and other avalanche centers across the U.S. HERE
It's key to head into the early avalanche season with the proper mindset. In this podcast, we talk with UAC program director Bo Torrey. Bo talks about particular risks unique to the early season, tips and tricks for knocking the rust off your early season rescue skills, and charts out the path forward with avalanche education. HERE
EMAIL ADVISORY. If you would like to get the daily advisory by email you subscribe HERE.
Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations....HERE. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.
I will update this advisory before about 7:30 tomorrow morning.