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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Tuesday morning, April 14, 2020
The avalanche danger is LOW, snow is stable, and avalanches are unlikely in the Logan Zone. Evaluate terrain carefully and continue to practice safe travel protocols to minimize your risk during the current health crisis.
  • 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 10°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 9°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and west winds are blowing around 20 mph this morning.
Overnight temperatures dropped well below freezing at all mountain stations again, and the avalanche danger is low in the backcountry. A few inches of new snow fell in the Central Bear River Range and at upper elevations in the northern and eastern reaches of the zone. In these areas, people might trigger shallow slab avalanches of wind drifted snow. In the Wellsville Range and in the Logan Peak Area, where less new snow fell, the refrozen old snow is hard and slick, and people should consider using crampons and an ice ax or "Whippet" for travel in steep terrain (mountaineering) to self arrest and avoid long falls and "slide-for-life" situations.
The snow is pretty hard and slick on many slopes, and people should have a way to self arrest if they venture onto steep slopes like this one in lower First Waterfall Hollow.
An unseasonably cold northwest flow aloft will maintain below normal temperatures across the area through midweek. The next storm system will spread moisture into the area Wednesday through Thursday.
It will be mostly sunny today, with 8500' high temperatures around 35°F, with 8 to 16 mph west winds, and wind chill values as low as -4°F. There's a chance of snow showers late tonight and it will be mostly cloudy, with a low temperature around 20°F and 14 to 16 mph west winds. Snow showers are likely tomorrow, with 3 to 5 inches possible. High temperatures around 36°F, and 16 to 20 mph west winds are expected.
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.
A pile of wet avalanche debris on the First Waterfall at the Quarry in Providence Canyon
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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 in some areas 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.
  • 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.
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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