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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Monday morning, April 13, 2020
The avalanche danger is LOW, snow is stable, and avalanches are unlikely in the Logan Zone. Exceptions could exist on very steep slopes at upper elevations where people might trigger shallow avalanches of wind drifted new snow. On many slopes the snow is rock hard and slick, and people should consider using an ice ax and crampons in steep terrain to avoid dangerous sliding falls.
  • Use normal caution
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Uncertainty, Risk, & Decision Making: before, during, and after COVID-19 - Read this thought-provoking blog post about how we take risks by guest author Tom Diegel.
Weather and Snow
It's 17°F this morning at the Hwy 89 Logan Summit, and the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel is slow to update, but there is about 88 inches of total snow with 110% of normal Snow Water Equivalent. It's a chilly 6°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and winds are decreasing into the single digits this morning, currently blowing about 5 mph from the southwest.
Overnight temperatures dropped well below freezing at all mountain stations again, and the avalanche danger is Low in the backcountry. The only avalanche concern today is pockets of wind drifted new snow on upper elevation slopes. The snow is hard and slick, and people should consider using crampons and an ice ax to travel in steep terrain to avoid falls and "slide-for-life" situations.
Evaluate terrain carefully and continue to practice safe travel protocols to minimize your risk during the current health crisis. Staying off and out from under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees is the best way to avoid problems.
A cool northwest flow will remain in place across the state through much of the week.
Snow showers are possible in the mountains today, but little accumulation is expected and it will be mostly sunny, 8500' high temperatures around 27°F, with west winds shifting from the north-northwest and increasing to 13 to 18 mph. Wind chill values will be as low as 0°F. It will be mostly clear tonight, with a low around 8°F and 7 to 16 mph northwest winds. Wind chill values will be around -6°F. Tomorrow will be sunny, with high temperatures around 34°F, and 8 to 15 mph north-northwest winds, veering from the west in the afternoon.
Recent Avalanches
There were several natural wet loose avalanches and cornice falls in the Logan Zone last week due to very warm temperatures in the mountains.
Natural wet loose avalanches in the Wellsville Mountain Wilderness...
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
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Description
Temperatures dropped well below freezing in the mountains again last night. The refrozen snow is stable and avalanches are generally unlikely, with a few exceptions on very steep slopes at upper elevations where people might trigger shallow avalanches of fresh wind drifted snow. Expect hard and slick snow conditions on many slopes, with more risk of falls or "slide for life" situations than of avalanches in steep terrain. You should bring an ice ax and crampons if you have mountaineering objectives or plan to travel on steep or sustained slopes today.
  • Watch for cracking as a sign of instability.
  • Avoid stiffer, recently drifted snow near the ridge tops, on corniced slopes, and in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gullies, scoops, and cliff bands.
  • Stay off and out from under large ridge top cornices, which could break much further back than expected and might trigger avalanches on steep slopes below.
Additional Information
Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.
Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.
New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
General Announcements
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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.
We will update this forecast before about 7:30 tomorrow morning.
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