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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, February 5, 2025
There is CONSIDERABLE danger on drifted upper-elevation slopes steeper than 30°, and people are likely to trigger dangerous wind-slab avalanches. Heightened avalanche conditions exist in most other terrain, and wet avalanches are possible.
Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential for safe backcountry travel today.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
The Preliminary Report for Monday's Monte Cristo avalanche fatality is HERE. (photo below from yesterday)
Our condolences go out to the victim's friends and family and all those affected by this tragic accident. UAC staff visited the site yesterday and a full report is forthcoming.
Weather and Snow
Moderate snowfall is visible on Beaver Mountain's webcams this morning, rain is falling in the valley, and incessant strong winds from the southwest continue to blow. Avalanche conditions are dangerous at upper elevations. Heavy snow from the weekend storm and extensive drifting by strong winds from the southwest overloaded a widespread layer of pre-existing weak snow. Hard slab avalanches failing on a sugary, persistent weak layer buried 1 to 3 feet deep remain likely, and the danger of sensitive soft wind slabs of drifted new snow will increase today as new snow is drifted into avalanche-starting zones. Conditions are most hazardous on upper elevation slopes facing northwest through southeast, where natural wind slab avalanches remain possible, and people are likely to trigger dangerous wind slab avalanches. Rain and unseasonable warmth turned the snow to mush and destroyed the nice powder even at upper elevations. Cooling temperatures will help stabilize the rain-saturated snow in low and mid-elevation terrain, but mountain temperatures remain warm this morning, rain is falling on low-elevation snow, and wet avalanches are possible. Low-elevation slopes facing the south half of the compass are bare of snow or have only very shallow snow cover.
  • You'll find safer conditions and decent "surfy" moist and dense snow riding in the meadows and on low-angle slopes less than 30 degrees not connected to or under steeper terrain.
  • Fishers need to be aware of potential wet avalanches coming down into the Logan River and stay out from under steep slopes with saturated snow.
-The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 34° F and an inch of new snow overnight, with 64 inches of total snow. At our Card Canyon weather station at 8800 feet, it's 33° F, and there is also about an inch of new snow, with 44 inches total.
-At the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700 feet, winds are blowing from the southwest 39 to 67 mph at this hour, with overnight gusts of 70 mph, and it's 29° F. On Paris Peak, at 9500 feet, it is 26° F, and the winds are blowing from the south-southwest 25 to 44 mph, with gusts of 55 mph early this morning.
Snowfall is occurring this morning in the Bear River Range, and 2 to 4 inches of accumulation is expected. Temperatures will drop to a few degrees below freezing this evening. It will be quite windy again, with southwest winds gusting around 50 mph.
The next chance for snow comes Thursday evening and Friday and it is likely to be heavy at times on Friday, with a forecast for 10 to 18 inches of accumulation possible by Friday evening. Periods of snow will continue into the weekend.
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
​​​
  • Large natural avalanches of wind-drifted snow were observed Monday in the Cornice Ridge area south of Naomi Peak. These were 1 to 3 feet deep and 100 to 250 feet wide.
  • We observed widespread natural wind slab avalanches in the Wellsville Range on Sunday. These were on generally east-facing slopes <9000 feet, and looked to be 1 to 3 feet deep and 150 to 800+ feet wide, with some running close to 2000 vertical feet.
  • Natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches occurred late Saturday night or early Sunday morning in Logan Canyon, with a few slides running out onto Highway 89.
  • On Sunday, riders intentionally triggered a sizable wind slab on a test slope in the Crescent Lake area.
  • Numerous red flags of instability were reported, including long shooting cracks and extensive whumpfs.
  • 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
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Strong winds drifted snow into avalanche-starting zones, overloading many slopes with dense snow. With continuing winds from the southwest expected today and a bit of new snow for them to drift, we advise staying clear of steep, wind-drifted slopes. Hard wind slabs are most likely to be found on the lee side of major ridges and on corniced slopes, but 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. New, shallow, soft wind slabs are forming today, with a few inches of fresh snow accumulating, and these could be pretty sensitive.
  • Avoid rounded pillows of snow that sound or feel hollow underfoot. Wind slabs are generally much stiffer than the surrounding snow.
  • Shooting cracks and collapsing or whumpfs are clear signs of instability.
  • Many wind slabs formed on weak faceted surface snow, now a buried persistent weak layer, and instability could last for a while.
  • Some wind slab avalanches could be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Before last weekend, the Logan area mountains developed a widespread layer of weak and sugary surface snow. Last weekend's storm overloaded the weak, sugary surface snow, and it is now a buried persistent weak layer. Drifting built slabs on the weak layer, but even in sheltered terrain, soft slabs of storm snow up to two feet deep will be possible to trigger.
Avalanche Problem #3
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Rain on snow at lower elevations could elevate the danger of wet avalanches, but cooling temperatures should help stabilize the rain-saturated wet snow today. Either way, wet avalanches remain possible on steep low and mid-elevation slopes.
  • Rollerballs, pinwheels, and loose sluffs are signs of unstable snow.
  • Avoid being underneath steep slopes with rain-saturated, moist, or wet snow.
Additional Information
Monday, large natural avalanches were observed in the Cornice Ridge area.
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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