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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Tuesday, April 2, 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. Heightened conditions also exist at upper elevations, and you might find shallow wind slabs that are sensitive to human triggering on slopes drifted by strong overnight northeast winds. 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 again soften up with today's warmth. Heightened avalanche conditions may develop in some areas due to daytime heating, and an early departure from the backcountry is good idea in these conditions. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports an inch of new snow in the last 24 hours, but the station lost over a 1/2 inch of water equivalent. It's 34 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 26 degrees and fairly strong east-northeast winds averaging around 30 mph late last night and gusting around 50, but diminishing this morning a bit, now averaging around 20 mph.

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. 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
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

You might find shallow and stiff wind slabs consisting of fresh snow in lee terrain, mainly at upper elevations. Last night's strong east wind might have built drifts in rather unusual or unexpected places, since we're not used to dealing with this somewhat rare wind direction.

Additional Information

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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