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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, March 27, 2013

Midday warmth will create heightened avalanche conditions and a MODERATE (or level 2) danger of wet and heat related avalanches on slopes with saturated snow. Ridge-top cornices could naturally fall due to warming, and might break further back than expected, if you get out on one. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, consider an early departure due to warmth, and continue to follow safe travel protocols...

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Weather and Snow

The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 34 degrees, (which is the 24 hr low) and with 58"of total snow, the station sits at 64% of average water for the date. The CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' reports 30 degrees and southwest winds averaging in the upper teens early this morning. With only a superficial overnight refreeze, the saturated snow will quickly soften up with today's warmth. An early departure from the backcountry is good idea if you start sinking into heat softened wet snow...

Recent Avalanches

No avalanches were reported in the Logan Area since last weekend's shallow wind slabs and some minor wet sluffing on Monday.

Here's a link to our updated Avalanche List.

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Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Expect a rising danger of loose wet avalanches and/or heat related activity as mountain temperatures rise well above freezing with midday warmth again today. Rain showers are a possibility at lower and mid elevations, which could further dampen the already saturated snow. North facing slopes are getting wetter and potentially more active as buried layers of dry and winter-like snow become moistened.... Pin wheels or roller balls are signs that the surface is heating up, and you should avoid travel on or under steep slopes with saturated surface snow. As always, watch for terrain traps like trees or gullies below you. It's best to plan for an early exit this time of year and retreat if you start sinking into warmth softened wet snow.

Avalanche Problem #2
Cornice
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

The midday warmth will cause large cornices to sag and buckle, and some may naturally calve off, threatening slopes below. Use caution traveling along the ridges, since the warming cornices could be sensitive to human weight and might break further back than expected.

Additional Information

Scattered rain and snow showers are possible this afternoon, but accumulations will be light. Some thunder is also possible. High temperatures at 9000' could reach the mid forties, and there will be a moderate southwest wind. Snow showers may continue tonight, and it'll be mostly cloudy, with continued southwest winds and a low temperature only a couple degrees below freezing. It'll be partly sunny tomorrow, with temperatures a little warmer than today's. Mountain temperatures will peak on Sunday with 9000' highs forecast in the lower 50s!

Check out the Logan Mountain Weather page...

General Announcements

For a printer friendly version of this advisory click HERE

Remember your information from the backcountry can save lives. If you see or trigger an avalanche, 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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