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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Monday, December 3, 2012

There is a MODERATE danger today on many slopes in the backcountry, and the danger is CONSIDERABLE on drifted upper elevation slopes facing north through east. Heightened avalanche conditions exist, avalanches are possible above around 8000' in elevation, and you are likely to trigger dangerous wind slab avalanches on steep drifted upper elevation slopes. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, use cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making skills, especially on upper elevation slopes with preexisting snow.

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Weather and Snow

The Tony Grove Snotel reports 6 inches of heavy snow containing a bit over an inch of water from yesterday and overnight. The site reports 23 inches of total snow, 72% of normal for the date, and it's 17 degrees at 8400' . Winds shifted around from the west overnight and diminished considerably, currently reading in the single digits from the west northwest at the CSI Logan Peak weather station early this morning, and its 12 degrees up at 9700'. The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for winter travel and was very slick and icy on shady sections before last night's snowfall. Be sure you are prepared with shovels and other emergency supplies if you attempt the drive. There are lots of pedestrians and dogs on the upper portion of the road these days, so please keep an eye out and the speed down.

Recent Avalanches

Observers noticed a couple fresh wet point releases or sluffs on the steep western side of Tony Grove Lake yesterday, 12-2....

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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Strong south winds accompanied heavy snowfall yesterday evening, likely creating sensitive drifts or wind slabs in exposed terrain. You are likely to trigger dangerous wind slab avalanches at upper elevations today, so you should avoid steep slopes with accumulations of drifted snow. Slopes near ridge-tops with developing cornices are obvious ones to avoid, but wind slabs also likely formed in and around terrain features like gullies, scoops, sub-ridges, cliff bands, and rock outcroppings.. On some slopes, the slabs formed right on top of weak sugary snow called near surface facets, and we can expect a lingering danger in these areas....

Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Triggered loose moist surface sluffs or point-release avalanches and shallow soft slab avalanches are possible on steep slopes with preexisting snow cover. With very shallow snow cover, this is not a good time to be taken for a ride through the sharp rocks or down and dead trees that currently plague local avalanche run-out zones.

Additional Information

High pressure is pushing in overhead as the trough moves off to the east today, but it will be brief... A warm front will bring cloudiness and more snowfall to our area starting tomorrow, and accumulating snowfall at upper elevations is in the forecast for Tuesday through Wednesday night... Temperatures during this time frame will remain fairly mild so the rain/snow line will likely remain fairly high....

Check out the Logan Mountain Weather page...

General Announcements

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Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or email by clicking HERE. In the Logan Area you can contact Toby Weed directly at 435-757-7578.

This advisory is produced by the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. It describes only general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist.

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