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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Paige Pagnucco
Issued by Paige Pagnucco on
Wednesday morning, February 12, 2025
The avalanche danger is MODERATE today. Human-triggered avalanches are possible on previously drifted slopes where a persistent weak layer is buried 1 to 3 feet deep. You'll find excellent, cold, light powder riding conditions in meadows and on slopes less than 30 degrees.
  • Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully. You will need to take out your shovel and dig to find and assess the buried persistent weak layer.
  • Continue to avoid being on or under steep drifted slopes and ridge-top cornices.
  • Prepare and watch for cold injuries today.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
The final accident report for last week's fatal Monte Cristo avalanche is HERE.
Our deepest condolences go out to Scott's family and friends and all who are affected by this tragic accident.
On Saturday, February 8, a skier was killed by an avalanche in the Salt Lake Area Mountains. Photo below. We are gathering information and will publish our report soon.
Weather and Snow
As the current surface snow weakens, excellent riding conditions can be found across the range. Very light powder sitting atop a stout melt-freeze crust exists on most aspects at mid and upper elevations. The biggest concern for today is triggering an avalanche that fails on a buried, persistent, weak layer lurking below the crust. Areas of wind-drifted snow from the weekend storm are particularly suspect, especially in upper-elevation terrain on slopes facing northwest through southeast. While the problem is not widespread, the easiest way to avoid it is to stick to slopes less than 30°. Just last Friday, a rider was fully buried by a large avalanche that failed on a buried persistent weak layer, so there are probably other suspect slopes out there just waiting for a trigger. Suspect areas include outlying terrain with generally shallow and weak snow cover.
-The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports -6° F, with 71 inches of total snow. At our Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, it's -7° F, and there is 53 inches of total snow.
-At the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700 feet, winds are blowing from the west-southwest 10 to 16 mph, it's -10° F, and the wind chill is -30° F. On Paris Peak, at 9500 feet, it is -10° F, and the winds are blowing from the west- southwest 10 to 14 mph creating a -28° F wind chill value.
It's hard to believe that a week ago, we were walking the dog in T-shirts. Today will be the COLDEST day of the season, with a high of 7° F at 8500' and a windchill of -20° F. Winds from the west will blow 6-14 MPH, and skies will hopefully be partly sunny to help ward off the chill. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning lasting from Thursday morning to Saturday afternoon. The Logan area mountains could pick up 1-3 feet of snow. Expect rising avalanche danger for the long holiday weekend. Please read our forecasts before heading out into the backcountry - we've had four avalanche fatalities this season and do not want another.
For more information, visit the UAC weather page here: Weather - Utah Avalanche Center
For Logan-specific weather, go here: Logan Mountain Weather - Utah Avalanche Center
Recent Avalanches
No avalanches were reported yesterday. Read about all avalanches and observations in the Logan Zone HERE.
***Remember, the information you share about avalanches you see or trigger in the backcountry could save lives.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
In late January, the Logan area mountains developed a widespread layer of weak and sugary surface snow. Wind drifting and recent accumulations have built thick slabs on top of this layer, and now, many slopes are plagued by a persistent weak layer buried 1 to 3 feet deep. Today, people could trigger dangerous hard slab avalanches failing on this persistent weak layer in upper-elevation terrain.
  • Avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer might be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below.
  • Audible collapses (whumpfs) and shooting cracks are sure signs of instability, but these may not be present when avalanches occur.
  • The best way to avoid this problem is to avoid steep slopes with poor snowpack structure. (You will have to dig to find and asses buried persistent weak layers.)
  • Excellent powder riding can be found in the meadows and on slopes less steep than 30°.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
We advise staying clear of steep, previously wind-drifted slopes. Today, human-triggered hard wind slab avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer are possible.
  • Wind slabs are most likely to be found on the lee side of major ridges and corniced slopes facing northwest through southeast. They were also formed by cross-loading in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gullies, and cliff bands.
  • Hard wind slabs sometimes allow a person to get well out on them before suddenly releasing.
Additional Information
Recently, we’ve been asked why there have been so many avalanche fatalities this season, and the answer is simple– faceted snow. Over the past two seasons, we experienced a deep snowpack that eventually buried any faceted snow too deeply for it to be a major concern. This winter, however, is different. Currently, the snow-water equivalent statewide is at 78% of normal, and our snowpack remains relatively shallow. The faceted snow has continued to pose a significant risk in areas with shallow snow since just after Christmas, with some slopes avalanching multiple times on the same weak layer. The situation becomes more complex, adding wind loading and the variability of snowfall accumulation. Some slopes may be safer, while others are on the edge, waiting for a trigger (you) to hit the weak spot. After two seasons of riding just about any line we wanted, this year demands a more cautious approach. We must be more conservative in our terrain choices, saving the more consequential terrain for another time or season. Terrain is one factor we can control, and the easiest way to avoid issues with persistent weak layers like facets is to stay off slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Read more about the persistent weak layer problem HERE.
General Announcements
-National Forest Winter Recreation Travel Maps show where it's open to ride: UWCNF Logan, Ogden LRD Tony Grove, Franklin Basin CTNF Montpelier
-For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.
-Remember the information you provide could save lives, especially if you see or trigger an avalanche. To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE.
-Receive forecast region-specific text message alerts to receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings. Sign up and update your preferences HERE.
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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