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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, December 5, 2012

This morning there is a MODERATE danger on many upper elevation slopes in the backcountry, heightened avalanche conditions exist, and you could trigger wind slab avalanches on steep drifted slopes above around 8000' in elevation. Significant additional accumulations and continuing strong southwest wind will probably cause the danger to rise to CONSIDERABLE today on drifted upper elevation slopes facing north through east. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, and make conservative decisions regarding today's route, especially on drifted upper elevation slopes with preexisting snow.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
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Weather and Snow

The Tony Grove Snotel reports 1 inch of heavy snow and some rain containing a half inch of water in the last 24 hours. The site reports 23 inches of total snow, 75% of normal for the date, and it's a steamy 36 degrees at 8400' . It's 28 degrees at the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' with fairly strong southwest winds reported including a 64 mph gust early this morning. The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for winter travel and was very slick and icy on shady sections before yesterday'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

My party triggered a good sized wind slab around midday yesterday (Tuesday) at around 9400' on a drifted northeast facing slope off the South Ridge of Mt Magog, northwest of Tony Grove Lake. The avalanche was around a foot deep and 40' wide or so. We also triggered a fair amount of localized cracking.in drifted terrain.

Here's a link....Mt. Magog Avalanche

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

You are likely to trigger potentially dangerous wind slab avalanches in steep drifted terrain at upper elevations today, so you should avoid steep slopes with recent accumulations of drifted snow. Strong southwest winds accompanied by periods of heavy snowfall today will continue to build sensitive drifts or wind slabs in exposed terrain. Slopes near ridge-tops with developing cornices are obvious ones to avoid, but wind slabs are also forming in and around terrain features like gullies, scoops, sub-ridges, cliff bands, and rock outcroppings.. On some slopes, the slabs are building on top of weak sugary snow called near surface facets, and we can expect a lingering persistent danger in these areas.... With very shallow snow cover, this is not a good time to be taken for a ride through the sharp rocks or down trees and stumps that currently plague local avalanche run-out zones.

Additional Information

It'll be blustery and fairly warm today, with 4 to 8 inches of snow accumulation and sustained west southwest winds forecast at upper elevations. Temperatures will gradually drop towards the end of the week , and the weather flow will switch and come out of the northwest,. Unsettled and snowy weather will continue through the weekend with a dropping rain/snow line, but generally light accumulations...

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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