Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, February 19, 2020
Wednesday morning, February 19, 2020
Heightened avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry, and there is MODERATE danger on upper and mid elevation slopes facing the eastern half of the compass. People could trigger 1 to 2 foot deep slab avalanches of previously wind drifted snow. The snow is stable and avalanches are unlikely at lower elevations, on lower angled slopes, and in sheltered terrain.
- Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
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Weather and Snow
It's 6°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel, and there is is 92 inches of total snow, containing 127% of normal Snow Water Equivalent. The station reports about 18"of new snow with 2.1" SWE from the weekend storm. Northwest winds are currently blowing around 13 mph at the CSI Logan Peak weather station, and it's 1°F this morning at 9700'.
With significant drifting from west winds and about a foot-and-a-half of snow with over 2"of SWE in the Central Bear River Range from the weekend storm, heightened avalanche conditions still exist on easterly upper and mid elevation slopes. Because of the widespread crust from 2/7 under the new snow, the best riding conditions are found in lower angled terrain.
A high pressure system will dominate the weather pattern through the remainder of the week and we can expect dry and stable conditions. Today will be sunny, with 8500' high temperatures around 26°F and 7 mph north winds, switching from the south this morning. Wind chill values will be as low as -13°F. It will be clear tonight with low temperatures around 1°F, 7 to 10 mph east-south east wind, and wind chills around -15°F. Tomorrow will be sunny with high temperatures near 24°F, 8 mph southeast wind, and wind chills as low as -11°F. A storm system moving into Arizona will bring rain and snow to southern Utah this weekend.
Recent Avalanches
The windy storm over the weekend caused widespread natural avalanche activity in the Central Bear River Range. See Paige's report from Wood Camp. ...HERE
There were numerous human triggered avalanches and several close calls in the mountains of Northern Utah on Monday. A handful occurred in the Logan Zone including a couple in the backcountry of Beaver Mountain's Backside.
We encountered far too many people messing around in the backcountry of Beaver Mountain Backside without any avalanche rescue gear on Monday. Please get the gear! Everyone in your party should have a beacon, a probe, and a shovel, and practice using it.
A very close call occurred Monday in the Ogden Area Backcountry near Snowbasin. A skier survived after being completely buried, with only a ski tip sticking out of the snow. The skier and his partner did not have any avalanche rescue gear. Our preliminary accident report is HERE
A skier triggered and escaped an avalanche of wind drifted new snow in Boiler Bowl, Steam Mill Canyon, in the Franklin Basin Area. The 1' deep and 100' wide avalanche occurred on a northeast facing slope at around 9000' in elevation.
Details are limited, but a sled triggered avalanche also occurred Monday on an east facing slope at around 9100' in elevation near Tony Grove Lake.
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
West winds were strong all day Sunday as heavy snow fell in the Central Bear River Range. The winds continued into Monday, gusting near 60 mph, and drifting lots of fresh snow into avalanche starting zones. Heightened avalanche conditions still exist today on previously drifted mid and upper elevation slopes, and human triggered avalanches are possible. Cracking is a red flag, indicating unstable snow.
- Watch for and avoid drifts near ridge lines and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, scoops, gully walls, and sub-ridges.
- Avoid ridge top cornices, which can break much further back than expected and could start avalanches on slopes below.
General Announcements
Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, we have discount lift tickets available. All proceeds from these go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education! Get your tickets HERE.
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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 also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.
This forecast is from the USDA Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
I will update this forecast before about 7:30 Friday morning.