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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The snow is mostly stable and the danger is LOW ( level 1) on most slopes in the backcountry today. Heightened avalanche conditions exist in places, increasing south winds will cause the danger to rise, and there are areas with a MODERATE (or level 2) danger, mainly at upper elevations. You could trigger wind slab avalanches in drifted terrain or loose wet sluffs on some very steep slopes with saturated surface snow. Use normal caution and continue to practice safe travel protocols.

Expect a rising danger tomorrow and the onset of a strong and cold winter storm...

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements

The friends of the Utah Avalanche Center in Logan is presenting a snowmobile avalanche safety clinic in Logan, with a classroom session on Thursday.January 17 and a field session up at Tony Grove on Saturday January 19. Save the date, call 435-757-2794 for more information, and visit our website to register..... HERE

Weather and Snow

Sleet, mist and/or freezing rain yesterday created a nice creme brulee ice-crust on the surface of the fine re-crystallized New Years powder. This appears to be widespread, and we found it in openings yesterday from around 6500' in elevation up to our high point at close to 9000' , The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 2/10ths of an inch of water and no new snow in the past 24 hours. It's 24 degrees this morning, there is 44 inches of total snow, and 75% of average water content for the date. The CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' reports 23 degrees, and the wind sensor is rimed....

Recent Avalanches

Other than a few long-running loose sluffs and small manageable shallow wind slabs, no avalanches have been reported locally in 2013....

Here's a link to our avalanche list...

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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Remember that a LOW danger doesn't mean NO danger. Even though we can venture into steeper terrain with generally stable snow conditions, we still need to follow safe travel protocols, asses the snow and terrain before committing, and make our decisions based on observed facts and not feelings or our forecast....

'

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

Expect a rising danger of wind slab avalanches in exposed terrain despite laking much in the way of transportable snow. Some shallow wind slabs already exist on the lee side of major ridges and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, gullies, and scoops. Drifts are and will be building on weak sugary faceted surface snow. Avoid stiff wind drifts on steep slopes. These often appear smooth or rounded and chalky looking, and they sometimes sound rather hollow. Cracking in drifted snow is a red flag requiring reevaluation of your route. South-southwest winds will increase this afternoon, tonight, and tomorrow, and wind slabs will probably become a bit more widespread, thicker, and less manageable in exposed terrain....

Avalanche Problem #3
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Loose wet avalanches and roof avalanches are possible at lower elevations as the inversion lifts and temperatures climb, especially if the sun comes out for a while in the middle of the day....

Additional Information

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for all the mountains of Utah from Thursday morning through Saturday morning...This storm is expected to bring a good shot of much needed snow to our mountains and should scour the smoggy air out of Cache Valley. Expect mild temperatures and increasing clouds in the mountains today. Snow is likely to begin overnight in the mountains and continue tomorrow with strengthening winds from the south-southwest.. 2 to 4 inches of accumulation are possible by tomorrow evening. The wind will shift around from the west-northwest tomorrow night and heavy snowfall is possible, with 5 to 9 inches of additional accumulation forecast by Friday morning. Snowfall will continue through Friday. A very cold northwest flow will develop over the weekend and persist into next week.

Check out the Logan Mountain Weather page...

General Announcements

Remember your information from the backcountry can save lives. If you see or trigger an avalanche in the backcountry or see anything else we should know about, please send us your 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.

I will update this advisory on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings by around 7:30...

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.

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