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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Thursday morning, December 18, 2025

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on drifted slopes steeper than 30 degrees at upper and mid elevations. Heightened avalanche conditions exist where yesterday's strong winds deposited thick drifts of heavy snow. Slab avalanches of fresh wind-drifted snow and more dangerous avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer buried up to 2 feet deep are possible.

  • Slopes below 7000 feet are bare of snow or have only very shallow snow cover.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
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Weather and Snow

While it rained at low elevations, snow fell in the mountains above about 7000 feet in elevation. It rained in both Cache and Bear Lake valleys, but heavy snow was reported on Hwy 36 over Emigration Summit. It rained in Beaver Canyon, but a few inches of very heavy snow fell at UDOT Logan Summit. It appears that the Northern and Central Bear River Range received significantly more snow than Logan Peak and the Wellsville Range. Heavy snow was drifted by strong winds yesterday, forming thick wind slabs, in some cases, well below the ridgelines. The new snow accumulated on last week's widespread thick and hard rain crust. It's all overlaying layers of weak, sugary, faceted snow near the ground.

Temperatures have dropped to 18°F at the Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet, reporting 5 inches of heavy new snow and 28 inches of total snow. Only 2 inches of new snow accumulated at the Card Canyon site at 8700 feet, and it's 12°F. On Logan Peak at 9700 feet, it's 9°F, and winds are currently blowing from the west at 30 mph. Yesterday, we noted gusts at the station above 90 mph. At 9500 feet on Paris Peak, it's a cool 10°F with 25 to 40 mph winds blowing from the west-southwest.

The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Northern Bear River Range through Saturday morning. Snow is likely at upper elevations in the Logan Zone today, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible and temperatures around 31° F. It will be windy again in the mountains with winds blowing from the west-southwest. A warm storm system will bring valley rain and high elevation mountain snow from Friday through Saturday, as well as another round of strong winds.

Recent Avalanches

No new avalanches have been reported locally since early December. For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan Zone, go HERE

Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Heavy snow is still drifting onto steep slopes from strong winds howling from the west. The avalanche danger is elevated, and people could trigger slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow. Heightened conditions exist in exposed upper and mid-elevation terrain and could be found on slopes and terrain features facing any direction, sometimes well below ridgelines.
  • Even small avalanches can have serious consequences in shallow snow conditions, as you might be dragged through the rocks or downed trees below.
  • Follow safe travel protocols: travel with a partner, cross (or ride) steep slopes one person at a time while the rest of your party watches from a safe place.

Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

The warm and wet "atmospheric river" is building a new slab on our thin snowpack. In the Central and Northern Bear River Range, weak, faceted snow from November is buried under last week's thick surface crust and a layer of weakening heavy snow from early December. On steep, drifted slopes, especially where the rain crust is thinner or not present, human-triggered avalanches are possible and could propagate widely across a slope.

  • Collapsing, indicated by shooting cracks or whumpfs, is a significant red flag of unstable snow.
  • Remotely triggered avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer are possible.

Additional Information

Are you interested in learning more about avalanches? Visit our education page for details on all our classes.

For more information, visit the UAC weather page here: UAC Weather Page For Logan-specific weather, go here: Logan Mountain Weather

-For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.

-Remember, the information you provide could save lives, especially if you see or trigger an avalanche. To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE

-Receive forecast region-specific text message alerts to receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings. Sign up and update your preferences 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.

General Announcements
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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.