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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Tuesday morning, April 4, 2023
Very dangerous avalanche conditions are found at all elevations on backcountry slopes steeper than 30°. Heavy snowfall has elevated the danger to HIGH, with long running natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
People should avoid being in avalanche terrain and stay well clear of avalanche runouts.
Low
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Learn how to read the forecast here
Avalanche Warning
Recent heavy accumulations of snow and drifting have created widespread areas of unstable snow. Long running natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. People should avoid being in backcountry avalanche terrain, (off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30°), and stay clear of avalanche runouts.
Weather and Snow
Natural avalanches are most likely during periods of very heavy snowfall or increased drifting. Since avalanche starting zones are smoothed in by deep snow and paths are "greased" by previous avalanches, avalanches of new snow can run far and fast. Across the region and with each storm in frequently running paths, avalanches are pushing the historic limits, trimming trees from the edges and running further into the trees than in the past...
Beaver mountain reports 11" in the last 24 hours and 24" in 48 hrs, and it is snowing again this morning. The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel also reports several inches and 2.0" SWE. It's 15°F and there is 167" of total snow. The wind is blowing around 20 mph, with gusts in the mid thirties at the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700'.
Here is the NWS point forecast (36 hrs) for high elevations in the Central Bear River Range:
Today: Snow showers. High near 23. Wind chill values as low as -2. West northwest wind 9 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Tonight: Snow showers likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Wind chill values as low as -5. West northwest wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Wednesday: Snow showers. High near 24. Wind chill values as low as 3. West wind 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
The National Weather Service has continued a Winter Storm Warning for the Logan Zone, extending through this evening. Looks like we'll see some sun on Thursday, and significant warming begins on Friday, with high temperatures near 40°F in the shade on top of Naomi Peak. Upper elevation high temperatures are expected to be over 50° F on Monday
Recent Avalanches
  • An observer reported the party triggered audible collapses, cracking, and observed natural activity in west facing terrain <6000' in elevation in Wood Camp Hollow on Monday. report is HERE
  • A few natural wet loose avalanches occurred at lower elevations in Logan Canyon over the weekend, including a couple slides that went into the Logan River below Temple Fork. There were lots of roller balls and pinwheels.
  • Large natural avalanches occurred early Friday morning in the mountains above North Ogden, including off the Ben Lomond Headwall and a handful, crossing and closing the North Ogden Divide road.
  • For a list of recent avalanches in the Logan Zone go HERE
  • There was lots of natural avalanche activity in the mountains of Northern Utah yesterday. Find a list of all recent observations & avalanches from across Utah HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
  • With over two feet of recently fallen new snow, soft slab and loose avalanches of storm snow are possible even in generally sheltered terrain on steep slopes where significant new snow accumulated.
  • Natural avalanches are possible during periods of heavy snowfall or when significant drifting rapidly overloads a slope, but they could be triggered by cornice falls or tree bombs at any time.
    Dangerous conditions are also found at low elevations, especially in steep northerly facing terrain including on shady forested slopes.
  • High angle April sun, possible greenhousing, or rain on the snow could quickly moisten the new snow and rapidly increase potential for wet avalanches.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
This morning, winds are blowing from the northwest and appear to be increasing a bit. It was very windy over the weekend, with strong westerly winds. Imagine very dangerous conditions up high, especially in windy terrain with huge, potentially mouse trap sensitive cornices, and thick, freshly formed wind slabs.
  • Large natural cornice falls and 2' to 4' thick soft and harder wind slabs are likely in windy terrain, especially at upper elevations.
  • Avoid corniced slopes and stiffer drifts on steep slopes near ridges and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, mid-slope break-overs, and gully walls.
  • Evidence of instability could include cracking or collapsing, and some avalanches might be triggered remotely or from a distance.
  • The overhanging cornices on the high ridges are huge this year, and recent storms have built them further out and made them unstable, so people should stay well away and out from under them.
Additional Information
Very large natural avalanches occurred early Friday above Pleasant View and North Ogden, coming off the very steep Ben Lomond Headwall.
General Announcements
  • Please submit your observations from the backcountry HERE.
  • For a list of avalanche classes from the Utah Avalanche Center go HERE
  • For information on where you can ride your sled or snow-bike, check out this map of the winter travel plan for the Logan and Ogden Ranger Districts HERE, and a close up of the Tony Grove and Franklin Basin Areas HERE.
This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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