Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Generally stable snow conditions exist, avalanches are unlikely, and danger is LOW. Increasing winds blowing from the southwest will cause rising danger in upper-elevation terrain, and avalanches of wind-drifted snow may become a concern in some areas later today. A winter storm with significant accumulations and drifting will cause the avalanche danger to rise tonight, and dangerous conditions could develop during the storm tomorrow.

Use normal caution. Practice safe travel protocols, pay attention to changes in the weather, and watch for unstable drifted snow in exposed upper-elevation terrain.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Want to learn more about how to stay safe from avalanches while riding in the backcountry? Join us Feb 23-24 for an Introduction to Avalanche class. Information and registration here.
Weather and Snow
You can find nice cold settled powder at upper elevations and smooth, supportable snow lower down. There is a variable surface crust on sunny slopes...
Even with LOW avalanche danger, triggering an avalanche is still possible in isolated areas. It's important to travel one person at a time through avalanche terrain, remain vigilant for any signs of danger, pay attention to changing weather conditions, and ensure everyone has a beacon, shovel, and probe.

The wind is blowing from the southwest this morning at around 15 mph at 9500' on Paris Peak, and it's 16° F. It's 20° F, and there's a half-inch of new snow at the 8750' Card Canyon weather station, with 65" of total snow.

Expect mostly cloudy skies and increasing wind today, with a chance of snow in the afternoon. High temperatures at 8500' will be around 29° F, and winds blowing from the south-southwest could gust to around 30 mph this afternoon. Expect rising avalanche danger tonight, and dangerous avalanche conditions could develop with heavy snow and blowing snow tomorrow. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Northern Bear River Range beginning this evening and a Winter Weather Advisory for the Logan Zone south of the state line beginning tonight. A winter storm will impact the zone, and significant accumulations and drifting by winds blowing from the west are expected tonight and tomorrow. 10 to 18 inches of snow could accumulate on upper-elevation slopes by tomorrow evening...
More snow is expected in the mountains on Friday...
Recent Avalanches
A snowmobiler triggered a wind slab avalanche Saturday on the northeast side of Bloomington Peak. No other significant avalanches were reported recently in the Logan Zone
Check out local observations and avalanches HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
LOW danger does not mean no danger. Here are a few things to keep in mind today as you travel in the mountains:
  • Drifting by winds from the southwest will increase the potential for people to trigger shallow avalanches of wind-drifted snow in exposed upper-elevation terrain.
  • Watch for isolated wind slabs lurking near exposed terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, and gully walls.
  • The probability of triggering an avalanche failing on a buried persistent weak layer is quite low, but not zero. A dangerous avalanche is possible in isolated areas where you might find the weak, faceted December snow by digging only a few feet into the snowpack.
  • Stay well away from and out from under overhanging cornices, which may break further back than expected.
Additional Information
General Announcements
-Listen to your very own Logan Zone avalanche forecasters on the UAC Podcast HERE.
-Read Toby's recent blog about wind, drifting, and avalanches HERE.
-Sign up for forecast region-specific text message alerts. You will receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings...HERE.
-For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.
-To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE.
-Come practice companion rescue at the Franklin Basin TH Beacon Training Park. It's free and open to everyone. For easy user instructions, go HERE.
-We will update this forecast by 7:30 AM tomorrow.
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.