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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Heightened avalanche conditions are found at all elevations on backcountry slopes steeper than 30°. Warm temperatures will elevate the danger to CONSIDERABLE in some areas. Wet avalanches will be increasingly likely in sunny terrain and on all steep slopes at lower elevations.
* As warming accelerates this weekend, roof avalanches and wet avalanches on steep slopes at very low elevations and in the foothills may threaten unsuspecting people, children, or pets.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
We've released the accident report for the 3-27-23 Pole Canyon avalanche. It's HERE
Weather and Snow
Large natural cornice falls are possible, and these or people could trigger 2' to 4' thick slab avalanches on drifted upper elevation slopes.
This morning's clouds will disapate and the sun will be out in full force. Solar warming will moisten the snow surface, quickly soften any crusts from overnight and elevate the danger of wet avalanches. Seasonal warmth will also warm up and soften the snow on shady north facing slopes down low, where there is a ton of snow this spring. Temperatures will continue to rise in the mountains significantly in the next few days.
The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 30° F and a good deal of settlement in the past couple days, with now 154" of total snow. The wind diminished a bit this morning at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and is blowing from the west 13 mph.
Here is the NWS point forecast (36 hrs) for Logan Canyon:
Today: A slight chance of snow showers before 9am, then a chance of flurries between 9am and noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Calm wind becoming west southwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. South southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Daytime high temperatures are expected rise in the next couple days, and it's expected to be over 50° F in Logan Canyon tomorrow and 60° F on Monday.
Recent Avalanches
  • A close call occurred on Tuesday in Hillyard Canyon, Cub River Idaho, when a rider triggered a soft slab avalanche, deployed airbag, and was caught and carried face down around 100'. Party had to probe for the sled which was found completely buried about 5' deep. report is HERE
  • We noticed a few, pretty good sized natural wet avalanches that ran into the Logan River just down from Temple Fork yesterday afternoon.
  • 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 this week. Find a list of all recent observations & avalanches from across Utah HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Cornice
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Heightened conditions still exist up high, especially in windy terrain, with huge mouse trap sensitive cornices, and thick, recently formed wind slabs. Large cornice falls and 2' to 4' thick soft and harder wind slabs are possible in windy terrain, especially at upper elevations. Warming temperatures will increase the likelihood of natural cornice failures.
  • 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 still might be triggered remotely or from a distance.
  • People should stay well away from and off of slopes under the HUGE overhanging cornices, which are found on the major peaks and ridges.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
  • High angle April sun and seasonal warmth could quickly moisten the snow and rapidly increase potential for wet avalanches.
  • Dangerous wet avalanche conditions could also develop at low elevations, especially on shady forested slopes and in steep northerly facing terrain.
  • Expect warming temperatures and intense sun to elevate the danger of wet avalanches significantly at all elevations in the next few days.
Additional Information
This small natural wet avalanche is on a north facing slope at around 4800' in elevation, and its right in town! Wet avalanches in the next few days are likely to become more likely and larger as daytime temperatures skyrocket, and small urban (and rural) slopes steeper than 30° could produce avalanches.
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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