Despite wind damage up high and crusts on sunny slopes and down low, we've found very nice smooth, fast, and stable snow in the backcountry in the past couple days. A Low danger does not mean No danger, and you could still trigger avalanches, so you need to continue to follow safe backcountry travel protocols. Avoid wind drifted snow at upper elevations, large cornices that have formed in the last month on some of the major ridges, and steep sunny slopes in the middle of the day.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 26º F this morning and there's 55" of total snow containing 85% of average SWE for the date. It's 24º F, at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and south-southwest winds are currently averaging around 23 mph.
High pressure will remain across the Great Basin through today. A series of storm systems will impact the area beginning late tonight and continuing into the middle of next week. Today it'll be sunny in the mountains, high temperatures at 8500' around 34º F, and 15 to 20 mph south wind. Tonight, we'll see increasing clouds and intensifying south wind. Low temperatures of around 22º F rising to around 30º F, and 20 to 30 mph south wind, with gusts in the 40s. Snow will start to fly tomorrow morning, with 4 to 8 inches possible. High temperatures around 35º F expected, with rain below about 7500', and it'll be windy, with 30 mph south-southwest winds gusting near 50 mph.
Other than the natural cornice fall avalanche off the Magog Cornice last weekend, no avalanches were reported recently in the Logan Zone.
There were numerous close calls and lucky outcomes across Utah in January, including several in the Logan Zone. Sadly, we have two recent fatalities to report, both from the Manti La Sal National Forest.
-A snowmobile rider was killed Friday, 1/25/18, in the La Sal Mountains near Moab.... updated accident report
HERE-A backcountry skier was buried by an avalanche and killed near Fairview on 1/18/19. .. report is
HERE.
