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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Dave Kelly
Issued by Dave Kelly on
Tuesday morning, December 26, 2023
The avalanche danger is LOW at all elevations and aspects where human triggered avalanches are unlikely. Low danger does not mean no danger. Always be aware of changing snow and weather conditions especially above treeline where sustained winds may have drifted the last couple of new inches into stiffer wind drifts that might be sensitive to the additional weight of a rider.
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Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
Currently, the Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' has 42" of total snow, with a temperature of 15 °F. The CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' had overnight temperatures in the teens ° F and winds blowing from the northwest 25 MPH with gusts up to 37 MPH. The temperature is 17°F at the Card Canyon weather station, with 33.6" of total snow on the ground. The Paris Peak weather station in Southern Idaho is reporting overnight temperatures in the 20's °F with winds blowing from the north 22 gusting to 28 MPH. Wind chill speeds in most locations are below freezing this morning.

For today, winds will blow from the west-northwest 15-20MPH gusting to 25MPH at the highest ridgelines. Skies start clear with temperatures 15-22°F. Clouds are forecast to increase throughout the day with a chance of snow flurries this afternoon.

Yesterday we found stable and variable snow conditions near the Garden City Bowls.
Recent Avalanches
No recent avalanches were reported in the Logan Zone. In the mountains south of Logan, backcountry travelers reported natural shallow wind-drifted snow and dry loose avalanches running in steep terrain above treeline 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
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 the most recent 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.
Additional Information
  • 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

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)
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.