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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Friday morning, December 7, 2018
MODERATE: Dangerous human triggered avalanches remain possible, and heightened avalanche conditions exist on upper elevation slopes that had snow before Thanksgiving. The snow is much more stable and you can find good coverage and very nice powder conditions elsewhere.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, use safe travel protocols.
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Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Thanks for your support of avalanche awareness and education in the Logan Area. Thanks to you our 15th Annual Pray for Snow Party and Fundraiser was a big success!
Weather and Snow
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 24º F and there's 35"of total snow, containing 111% of average SWE for the date. It's 18º F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station and south-southwesterly wind is blowing around 14 mph.
Expect mostly sunny conditions in the mountains, with high temperatures at 8500' around 23º F and 5 to 10 mph south-southwest wind. Low temperatures around 13º F are expected tonight, with mostly cloudy skies and 7-9 mph south wind. It'll be mostly sunny tomorrow, with a high temperature around 23º F and 8 to 10 mph southwest wind.
High pressure will build into the area this weekend and remain in place through early next week.
You can find very nice powder in the Logan Zone these days, but heightened avalanche conditions exist on upper elevation slopes that held snow before the Thanksgiving storm. Dangerous human triggered avalanches 2 to 3 feet deep remain possible. There is much less danger and excellent powder conditions where is no old pre-Thanksgiving snow.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported in the Logan Zone recently.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
We've noted an increase in stability in the past few days, and weak snow from early November is now deeply buried at upper elevations. However, dangerous human triggered avalanches running on a persistent weak layer consisting of weak faceted snow near the ground are still possible in shady upper elevation terrain.
  • Dangerous deep slab avalanches are possible, but they're getting harder to trigger.
  • Very weak faceted snow pre-existed the Thanksgiving storm snow on shady upper and mid-elevation slopes.
  • The weak snow was fairly shallow in the Logan Zone, so resulting slab avalanches will likely be on smooth slopes or in pockets between rocky anchors and terrain features.
  • Collapsing and cracking indicate that the snow is unstable.
Shallow but loose and weak faceted snow lurks under the Thanksgiving slab. (Bedground Bowl 12/6/18)
Avalanche Problem #2
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
  • Even small avalanches can be very dangerous with shallow, early season snow cover. You could get dragged through rocks or deadfall if you get caught and carried.
  • As always, avoid recently drifted snow in steep terrain.
  • Everyone in your party needs a working and up-to-date beacon, probe, and shovel. Practice avalanche rescue with your partners regularly.
General Announcements
The Tony Grove Road is open but not maintained for winter travel of wheeled vehicles.
Beaver Mountain is glad to allow non-motorized uphill traffic. You can find generally safe conditions in lower angled terrain, and help pack out the ski hill. Nice powder conditions and good coverage were reported from over the weekend. Remember, before it opens, Beaver Mountain is the backcountry.
Now is a great time to practice companion rescue techniques with your backcountry partners. Here is our practice video.
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 call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your Instagram.
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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