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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Monday, April 1, 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. Dangerous avalanche conditions and a CONSIDERABLE (level 3) may develop in some areas with saturated heat softened snow and poor snow structure. Some natural wet avalanche and cornice fall activity is possible in steep terrain. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, consider an early departure due to warmth and increasing avalanche danger, and continue to follow safe travel protocols...

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Weather and Snow

With only a superficial overnight refreeze again, the saturated snow will quickly soften up with today's warmth. Dangerous avalanche conditions may develop in some areas due to daytime heating, and an early departure from the backcountry is good idea if you notice natural avalanche activity or start sinking into heat softened wet snow... The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports an inch of new snow in the last 24 hours, but the station lost 1/2 inch of water equivalent. It's 38 degrees, (which is the 24 hr low) and with 52"of total snow, the station sits at 60% of average water for the date. The CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' reports 33 degrees and east-southeast winds averaging around 15 mph this morning.

Here is a video observation from Friday afternoon; 3-29-2013, Maple Bench

Recent Avalanches

No new avalanches were reported in the Logan Area over the weekend, although I observed evidence of some minor sluffing, cornice falls, and roller balling.. .

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 wet avalanches as mountain temperatures rise with midday warmth again today, and heightened avalanche conditions will develop in steep terrain. Although the snowpack appears to have adjusted to the spring warmth, once again and for the 5th straight night, mountain weather stations report above or near freezing overnight temperatures. Any surface refreeze today is thin and superficial, with softening of the snow from midday heat likely to occur even earlier today. 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

Expect snow showers, mostly cloudy skies, easterly winds, and mild temperatures in the mountains again today. High temperatures at 9000' should reach the mid forties, 1 to 2 inches of accumulation is possible, and the moderate east wind will veer from the south this afternoon. Another inch or two is possible tonight, it'll be mostly cloudy, and temperatures should stay just above freezing again. Looks like it'll be a couple degrees cooler tomorrow, with mostly cloudy skies and lingering snow showers in the mountains... A high pressure system will move overhead midweek, and the next round of storminess will arrive late Thursday and affect the region through Friday.

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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