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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Friday morning, April 17, 2020
Heightened avalanche conditions and MODERATE danger exist in upper elevation terrain, and people could trigger 1 to 2 foot deep avalanches of wind drifted new snow on many steep slopes. Rapid warming and strong April sun today will cause rising danger of loose wet avalanches. Dangerous wet avalanche conditions may develop in the heat of the day on some very steep sunny slopes, and natural activity is possible.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, and continue to practice safe travel protocols to minimize your risk during the current health crisis.
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Weather and Snow
About a foot-and-a-half of new snow fell at upper elevations in the Bear River Range, with 2" SWE recorded at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel since Wednesday morning. It's 15°F and there is 100 inches of total snow at the site with 124% of normal Snow Water Equivalent. It's 11°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and winds have recently switched back from east to west and are currently blowing around 15 mph.
Today, people could trigger slab avalanches of wind drifted new snow on steep upper elevation slopes. Rapidly warming daytime temperatures and intense high angled sun will cause increasing danger of loose wet avalanches in steep sunny terrain, conditions may become dangerous on very steep slopes, and some natural wet activity is possible.
Expect fair and sunny weather in the mountains today and tomorrow with light winds. Another weakening system is expected to bring showers to much of the area Sunday. Temperatures near seasonal averages are expected this weekend.
It will be clear and sunny in the mountains today with 8500' high temperatures around 41°F, and variable winds will blow 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. It will be mostly clear tonight, with a low around 18°F and light and variable wind. Tomorrow will be sunny, with high temperatures around 46°F, and 6 to 11 mph west-southwest wind.
Recent Avalanches
Local observers report triggering a few 12 to 16" deep soft slab avalanches of wind drifted snow yesterday on steep upper elevation slopes facing north, northeast, and east. The soft avalanches on very steep slopes were expected and manageable, and nobody got caught.
An intentionally triggered soft wind slab on Steam Mill Peak on a north facing slope at about 9200'. The 14" deep, 25' wide avalanche ran about 500 vrt'.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
During this week's storm, sustained westerly winds drifted the new snow even while it was falling. The winds shifted from the east yesterday, and drifts formed in some unexpected areas. Yesterday, people easily triggered soft slabs of wind drifted new snow on steep upper elevation slopes in the Central Bear River Range. Although new snow instabilities tend to stabilize fairly quickly this time of year, heightened conditions still exist today on upper elevation slopes where people could trigger slab avalanches of wind drifted snow.
  1. 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.
  2. Cracking is a sign of instability.
  3. Stay off and out from under large ridge top cornices, which could break much further back than expected and could trigger avalanches on slopes below.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Rapidly rising temperatures and strong, high angled sun will cause increasing danger of loose wet avalanches involving storm snow on steep sunny and lower elevation slopes. Natural wet avalanches will become increasingly possible in very steep terrain as temperatures warm during the day, so people should stay off and out from under steep slopes with melt saturated new snow.
  • Rapidly warming temperatures, roller balls, pin wheels, and other natural or triggered loose wet avalanches are all red flags indicating wet avalanche potential.
  • If the nice snow you are riding in gets sticky and slushy or wet, it's time to move to someplace cooler or off and out from under steep hills.
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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