Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, March 18, 2020
Wednesday morning, March 18, 2020
A few inches of heavy new snow overnight and drifting from increasing south winds created heightened avalanche conditions and MODERATE danger on upper elevation slopes. People could trigger shallow slab avalanches of wind drifted new snow on steep slopes and/or large cornice falls on the lee side of major ridges. Loose avalanches of moist new snow are possible in steep terrain. Rain fell on the snow last night, and warm daytime temperatures could create potential for avalanches of wet snow on very steep lower and mid elevation slopes.
- Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
- We know there is a lot of uncertainty regarding coronavirus, but the Utah Avalanche Center is planning to continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into April.
- Uphill Travel at Ski Areas - Some resorts will be offering limited uphill access but not all do. Up to date info about uphill access from Ski Utah is posted HERE.
- Beaver Mountain is allowing people to earn their turns and practice good social distancing on the hill, and conditions are excellent. Non motorized use only.
Weather and Snow
It's 28°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel. About 3 inches of heavy new snow fell overnight at the site, containing 0.4" of Snow Water Equivalent, and there is 83 inches of total snow, containing 112% of normal SWE. It's 21°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and south winds picked up in the last hour, and are currently blowing about 25 mph.
Heightened new snow avalanche conditions exist on upper elevation slopes, where people might trigger shallow soft slabs, loose avalanches, or cornice falls. Rain fell overnight on the already saturated snow at lower and mid elevations, temperatures will climb into the mid 40s today, and the strong spring sun may pop out from behind the clouds, creating potential for wet avalanche activity on very steep slopes.
Heightened new snow avalanche conditions exist on upper elevation slopes, where people might trigger shallow soft slabs, loose avalanches, or cornice falls. Rain fell overnight on the already saturated snow at lower and mid elevations, temperatures will climb into the mid 40s today, and the strong spring sun may pop out from behind the clouds, creating potential for wet avalanche activity on very steep slopes.
A low pressure system will slowly move through the region bringing cooler and unsettled weather through the remainder of the week. Snow showers are likely today, mainly in the afternoon, with an inch of accumulation possible on upper elevation slopes. Periods of sun are possible, but it will be mostly cloudy with 8500' high temperatures around 38°F and south-southwest winds blowing 7 to 10 mph along the ridges. It will be mostly cloudy tonight with low temperatures around 20°F and 3 to 6 mph north wind. There is a chance snow and rain showers in the mountains again tomorrow, with partly sunny skies. High temperatures are expected to be around 39°F, and and 6 to 9 mph north wind will veer from the southwest in the afternoon.
Recent Avalanches
We visited the site of a fatal avalanche that occurred Sunday in the backcountry near Pebble Creek Ski Area, south of Pocatello Idaho. Preliminary accident information is HERE .
Here is a short video from the accident site.
- Observers reported a couple natural storm slabs and small triggered avalanches of new snow at upper elevations in the Central Bear River Range Saturday.
- Sunday, riders likely remote triggered cornice fall which triggered a 1' deep and 60' wide avalanche of wind drifted snow at about 9400' on a northeast facing slope near Cornice Ridge.
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Heightened avalanche conditions exist on upper elevation slopes. A few inches of wet new snow fell overnight at upper elevations, and increasing south winds created shallow drifts, some of which are likely to be sensitive to human triggering today. Drifts formed on the lee sides of ridges and in and around terrain features where decelerating winds deposited the snow.
- Watch for and avoid fresh drifts on the lee side of major 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.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Sun may pop out from behind the clouds today, and the new snow will quickly become moist with warm temperatures. People could trigger small loose wet avalanches consisting of moist surface snow on steep upper elevation slopes, where a few inches of fresh snow accumulated. Human triggered wet avalanches are also possible on very steep slopes at lower and mid elevations where rain fell last night on already saturated melt-softened snow.
- Avoid being on or under steep slopes with melt-softened saturated snow.
- Roller balls, pinwheels, and naturally occurring sluffs or other avalanches indicate potential for wet avalanche activity.
General Announcements
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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.
We will update this forecast before about 7:30 Friday morning.