Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Saturday, December 15, 2012

There is a MODERATE danger in the backcountry, and you could trigger wind slab avalanches on drifted upper elevation elevation slopes. There are also localized areas with poor snow structure and the potential for larger, more dangerous triggered persistent slab avalanches up to around 2 feet deep. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully , and make conservative decisions regarding your route selection, especially in drifted terrain at upper elevations. The snow is fairly stable and the danger is generally LOW in sheltered terrain, below around 8000' in elevation, and on slopes less steep than about 35 degrees.. Expect a rising danger in the backcountry, with intensifying snowfall and strengthening west wind tomorrow....

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow

We've been finding some very good powder riding conditions in the backcountry this week Many slopes are now covered enough for skiing or boarding, while sledding is still somewhat limited to smooth, relatively rock-free meadows and upper elevation roadways. The Tony Grove Snotel reports an inch of accumulation overnight and 34 inches of total snow, 79% of normal for the date, and it's 22 degrees at 8400' this morning. The wind is light from the west-northwest on Logan Peak, and it's 14 degrees at Campbell Scientific's 9700' mountain top weather station. The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for wheeled travel in the winter, and conditions are always changing. Be sure you are prepared with shovels and other emergency supplies if you attempt the drive.

Recent Avalanches

I received a vague report of a wind slab avalanche off Cornice Ridge earlier in the week and visible on Thursday... There were a couple more triggered persistent slabs yesterday in the Central Wasatch Range backcountry.. Here's a link to Bruce's SLC area advisory

Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

There are localized areas with poor snow structure where you could trigger dangerous persistent slab avalanches. This has been a big issue In the Central Wasatch Range, where several broad and scary avalanches were triggered this week. The avalanches are failing on buried weak layers consisting of sugary or faceted snow near or sandwiched between thin rain crusts from early December, and are around 2 feet deep... Pay close attention to red flags like audible collapsing and cracking, and avoid steep drifted slopes. The most suspect slopes are at upper elevations and facing northwest through east.

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

You could trigger wind slab avalanches if you venture into steep drifted terrain at upper elevations. Stiff wind slabs formed on the lee side of major ridgelines and in and around terrain features like gullies, scoops, sub-ridges, cliff bands, and rock outcroppings.. Avoid smooth, chalky looking, and hollow sounding drifts on steep slopes... Stiff wind slabs have the nasty tenancy to let people get out on them before releasing....

Additional Information

It looks like we're moving into an active weather pattern, and avalanche conditions across the state are likely to get interesting in the next few days. Expect a bit snow this morning, mainly before 1100, with an inch or 2 of accumulation possible. Temperatures will drop from the 20s into the mid teens around noon and west winds will remain mostly in the single digits. Snow is likely again tonight. with 2 to 4 inches of accumulation forecast and increasing westerly wind. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Sunday and Monday. Snow will continue through the weekend and intensify, with 7 to 11 inches possible at upper elevations in the Bear River Range tomorrow and an additional 4 to 8 inches possible on Sunday night... It looks like the productive and stormy weather will continue through Monday and well into next week.

Check out the Logan Mountain Weather page...

General Announcements

Discount lift tickets are in! Go to http://www.backcountry.com/utah-avalanche-center to get tickets from our partners at Alta, Beaver Mountain, Brighton, Canyons, Deer Valley, Park City, Powder Mountain, Snowbasin, Snowbird, Solitude, Sundance, and Wolf Mountain. All proceeds benefit the Utah Avalanche Center.

Deals on donated gear to benefit the UAC: Check out the Ebay charity auction w/ splitboards from Chimera, Never Summer, & Voile, skis from BD, Mtn Approach folding ski/pack kit, a Pieps beacon, Gecko Skins, Scarpa AT boots, & Fritschi brakes. CLICK HERE!!

Remember your information can save lives. If you see or trigger an avalanche in the backcountry or anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche observations. 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.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. It describes only general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist.