Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, March 25, 2020
Wednesday morning, March 25, 2020
Significant accumulation of heavy snow yesterday and overnight has created dangerous avalanche conditions and CONSIDERABLE danger on upper elevation slopes. Today people are likely to trigger long running soft slab and loose avalanches of storm snow, and natural avalanche activity is possible. Heightened avalanche conditions also exist on steep slopes at mid and lower elevations where human triggered avalanches are possible. I expect the new snow to become much more stable during the day today, as snowfall tapers off and the bulk of the storm makes it's way south.
- Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, use caution while route-finding, and make conservative decisions.
Low
Moderate
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High
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Special Announcements
UAC operating schedule - We will continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into mid April.
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CDC Guidelines - Even in the backcountry and in parking lots, please follow CDC guidelines like limiting group size and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other people to protect yourself and others. Read the guidelines HERE.
Taking risks - Be extra conservative to avoid the risk of accidents which can stress the capacity of our medical system.
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Weather and Snow
It's 24°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel. About 15 inches of new snow fell at the site in the last 24 hours, with 1.4" Snow Water Equivalent. There is now 102 inches of total snow, containing 111% of normal SWE. It's 18°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and west winds are currently blowing about 18 mph, with a 45 mph gust earlier this morning.
The National Weather Service has continued a Winter Storm Warning for our area through Thursday evening. A cold and strong storm system will impact much of the state through Thursday night. High pressure will build into the area for the weekend.
Snow showers will continue today, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible. 8500' high temperatures of 33°F and 10 to 13 mph west-southwest winds are expected. Snow showers are likely in the mountains tonight, with 1 to 2 additional inches of accumulation possible on upper elevation slopes. Low temperatures are expected to be around 18°F, and west southwest wind will blow 9 to 11 mph, becoming northwest after midnight. Snow showers are possible tomorrow, and it'll be mostly cloudy with high temperatures near 32°F and northwest winds will blow 7 to 11 mph.
Recent Avalanches
60-year-old Phil Bregitzer of American Falls was killed by an avalanche Sunday, March 15 while skiing in the backcountry north of Pebble Creek Ski Area. Our condolences go out to the friends and family of the victim and those involved in the rescue. The final report on the tragic avalanche accident has been published and it's HERE.
This is a short video from our visit to the site on 3-16-2020.
- In the Logan Zone Sunday, we noticed a sizable natural cornice fall avalanche off the south ridge of Mt. Magog on an east facing slope at around 9400' and some long running natural loose wet avalanches in Logan Dry Canyon, (SW @ 8000')
- Observers report triggering small slabs of wind drifted snow as well as loose avalanches of dry and moist surface snow at upper elevations this weekend.
Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Dangerous avalanche conditions exist this morning on upper elevation slopes and people are likely to trigger soft slab and loose avalanches of storm snow in steep terrain. Some natural activity is possible. Heightened conditions also exist at lower and mid elevations where human triggered avalanches of storm snow are possible. I expect the snow to stabilize fairly quickly during the day as the storm moves into central Utah and snowfall intensity diminishes in the Logan Zone.
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 tomorrow morning.