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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed for
Sunday, April 14, 2013

Cold temperatures herald stable snow conditions and the danger is LOW on most slopes in the backcountry. But, heightened avalanche conditions exist in drifted terrain and there is a MODERATE (or level 2) danger at upper elevations. You could trigger wind slab avalanches on steep slopes with fresh deposits of drifted snow. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, avoid steep drifted terrain, and continue to follow safe travel protocols.....

Low
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Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Craig Patterson will take place Thursday, April 18th at 10am at the Albion Grill, Alta. Photos of Craig are welcome. In lieu of gifts or flowers, please contribute to the Craig Patterson Memorial Fund at any Key Bank. Or checks can be sent to the Craig Patterson Memorial Fund 520 Crestview Dr Park City, UT 84098.

(http://craigpattersonmemories.blogspot.com/) was created by a friend for folks to share their thoughts and memories. Something Craig's wife Renae and daughter can read.

Weather and Snow

With a total of 58 inches containing 65% of average water for the date, the Tony Grove Snotel reports 3 inches of new snow with 4/10ths of an inch of water equivalent , and a good solid overnight freeze. It's a cold 12 degrees at 8400' this morning. The CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' reports only 7 degrees, and after sustained northwest winds averaging close to 30 mph last night the wind is more westerly and averaging around 15 mph this morning. You'll find shallow powder and dust-on-crust riding conditions at upper elevations on a solidly refrozen, crusty base layer.

The access to upper elevations is a bit problematic lacking lower elevation snow, but it's better high in Logan Canyon. You run into snow a little below around 7500' on the Tony Grove Road, and might find turning the trailer around a bit of a challenge. It's possible to drive on dry road up to the quarry in Providence Canyon, but again turning around can be difficult and the trail is getting a little rocky through the switchbacks.

Recent Avalanches

Here is the preliminary report on Thursday's tragic and fatal avalanche accident in Big Cottonwood Canyon in the salt Lake Area Mountains, which killed friend and fellow avalanche forecaster, Craig Patterson. The deadly wind slab avalanche wasn't all that big, but it took him down for a very nasty ride in steep terrain. ......... Here

Dangerous avalanche conditions still exist in the High Uintas and an observer noticed a very large and scary natural hard slab avalanche near Lofty Lake...

No significant new avalanches were reported recently in the Logan Area.....,

Here's a link to our updated Avalanche List.

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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
  • Strong and sustained northwest winds overnight formed stiffer wind slabs with fresh snow in deposition zones at upper elevations.
  • Triggered wind slab avalanches, up to around a foot deep are possible in drifted upper elevation terrain. These could be fairly sensitive today, and will likely pick up speed in steep terrain and run fast on slick underlying crust.
  • Watch for and avoid stiffer snow and fresh drifts on the lee of major ridges and in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, rock bands, and gullies.
  • Recently built-up cornices are also a concern, as they could be fairly sensitive today, might break further back than you expect, and could trigger wind slab avalanches on slopes below.
Additional Information

It'll be mostly cloudy today, with high temperatures in the upper twenties, a west wind, and a chance for snow showers after noon. There's a 50% chance for more snow showers tonight, but not much in the way of accumulation is expected in advance of a developing storm system, which will bring cold weather and snow to the region through the better part of the coming work week. Snow showers and unsettled weather will continue Monday through around Thursday, with no period of particularly heavy precipitation noted as yet, but a couple inches are possible in each 12 hour period....

Check out the Logan Mountain Weather page...

General Announcements

For a printer friendly version of this advisory click HERE

iPhone & iPad users: With help from Backcountry.com & Garafa, LLC, we now have a free mobile app that combines the best of the UAC advisories, observations, and weather summaries with National Weather Service products & UDOT road updates. This puts the tools you need for planning your day and your run in one handy mobile package. Check it out, tell your friends, and let us know what you think.http://utahavalanchecenter.org/apps

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.

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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