Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, February 5, 2020
Wednesday morning, February 5, 2020
Heightened avalanche conditions exist and there's MODERATE danger on upper and mid elevation slopes in the backcountry. People could trigger avalanches of wind drifted snow. Natural and triggered loose avalanches of Monday's new snow running on a slick crust remain possible. We expect the avalanche danger to rise significantly in the next couple days due to heavy snow and drifting from intensifying west winds.
- Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
It's 6°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel, and there is 77 inches of total snow, containing 116% of normal Snow Water Equivalent. West-northwest winds increased overnight, and are currently blowing around 25 mph and gusting into the mid 40s at the CSI Logan Peak weather station, and it's 0°F at 9700'.
Heightened avalanche conditions exist and human triggered avalanches of wind drifted snow are possible on steep upper and mid elevation slopes. The danger is lower in sheltered areas. Yesterday, we found nice shallow powder and dust-on-crust conditions in the Wellsville Mountain Wilderness. Expect the avalanche danger to rise significantly in the next couple days, with copious heavy snow and drifting from increasingly strong west winds overloading slopes with suspect snow structure, a few inches of cold light snow capping a slick and solid crust.
It will be mostly cloudy and snow is likely in the mountains today, with 1 to 3 inches possible. 8500' high temperatures are expected to be around 16°F, with 16 to 18 mph west-northwest winds, and wind chills around -29°F! It'll snow tonight, with 4 to 8 inches possible and temperatures topping out to around 22°F. It will be rather breezy, with 18 to 25 mph west winds. Snowfall will continue and be heavy at times tomorrow, with 6 to 10 inches possible. It will be windy, with 25 to 30 mph west wind increasing to 35 to 40 mph in the afternoon. High temperatures will be around 27°F. Another 7 to 11 inches of accumulation is possible Thursday night.
Recent Avalanches
We observed numerous natural dry loose avalanches in the Wellsville Mountain Wilderness yesterday, and we easily and intentionally triggered a couple manageable sluffs on steep slopes as well.
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
West-northwest winds picked up overnight, and there is plenty of nice light snow to move around. Heightened avalanche conditions exist and people could trigger avalanches of wind drifted snow in exposed upper and mid elevation terrain. Avalanches are unlikely but possible at lower elevations, in the foothills and valley cut-banks where significant snow accumulated with Monday's intense storm.
- Watch for and avoid fresh 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 start avalanches on slopes below.
Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
We observed numerous natural loose dry avalanches of new snow in the Wellsvilles yesterday, and they were pretty easy to trigger. The small avalanches picked up speed, running on a slick crust formed by the warmth last week, and some ran pretty far. The avalanches were small and manageable, but some could have knocked a person over. More loose sluffs are possible on steep slopes at all elevations today, so avoid being on steep slopes above terrain traps or trees.
Additional Information
Here is the NWS Mountain Weather Briefing released yesterday;
General Announcements
Are you looking to improve your avalanche skills? We are offering a Backcountry 101: Introduction to Avalanches class at Powder Mountain February 14-15. Info and sign up HERE
The anual CROWBAR backcountry ski race will be on Saturday, February 8. The unique and classic backcountry race will be held at the Swan Flat/Garden City Trailhead in upper Logan Canyon. There are four divisions (Junior, Recreation, Heavy Metal & Race) with different climbs, descents, and technical booters. Participants must carry avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel, probe) and can use alpine touring gear, telemark skis, or splitboards. Register on UltraSignup, or sign up to volunteer at this year's race!
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.
EMAIL ADVISORY. If you would like to get the daily advisory by email you subscribe HERE.
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 tomorrow morning.