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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Monday morning, March 16, 2015

CONSIDERABLE (level 3): Heightened wet avalanche conditions exist on many slopes in the backcountry. After yet another warm night without a refreeze, unseasonably hot temperatures again today could create dangerous conditions, with triggered avalanches likely on steep slopes with saturated snow, and natural loose wet, wet slab, cornice fall, and glide avalanches possible.

  • Stay off of and out from under steep slopes with saturated snow during the heat of midday.
  • Avoid travel in shallow or rocky mid and upper elevation areas, on slopes with poor snow structure, and under cliffs or cornices.
  • Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision making will be essential in the backcountry today.

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Weather and Snow

Heightened wet avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry, and with very warm temperatures today and lacking an overnight refreeze again, conditions could easily become downright dangerous on some steep slopes by mid-afternoon. The Tony Grove Snotel reports 62 inches of total snow containing 88% of average water for the date. Temperatures did not drop below freezing last night and at 2:00 this morning it was 46 degrees at 8400'. Currently I'm reading 39 degrees at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station. It's a bit cooler lower down in the Middle Sinks Area, with 36 degrees posted at the UDOT Hwy 89 Logan Summit, and light easterly winds overnight.

Recent Avalanches
  • I noticed several new small wet avalanches in the Hell's Kitchen and Steep Hollow areas yesterday afternoon, as viewed from Beaver Mountain. These, on east and northeast facing slopes looked like they initiated in cliff bands or from cornice falls.
  • Also, I noticed a couple more natural slides on the way down Logan Canyon, including a larger one in mostly west facing "Drop in-Drop Out"​ above​ Bridgerland Campground in the lower section of the canyon.
  • Looked like there was similar natural wet activity yesterday in the Wellsville Range, including what appeared to be a fairly broad area of debris in upper Pine Canyon.

    ***Check out our Backcountry Observations Page for more local and statewide avalanche information...

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Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches are possible again in steep terrain today, and triggered avalanches are likely, especially during the afternoon heat. Dangerous wet slab avalanches are possible at mid and upper elevations on slopes with poor snow structure, especially in outlying areas like the Wellsville Mountain and Mt. Naomi Wildernesses, and in "extreme" or "serious" mountain terrain. This is certainly not a good day for mountaineering, and you should tone down any plans that might include travel on or under steep mountain slopes. Avoid shallow or rocky areas with saturated snow and ridge-top cornices which are starting to sag, buckle, and fail in the warmth.

Additional Information

It'll be partly cloudy and warm in the mountains, with a high temperature at 9000' around 53 degrees and moderate southwest winds diminishing by afternoon. It'll be mostly cloudy tonight with a low temperature around 42 degrees and southeast winds picking up a bit after midnight. It'll be cloudy tomorrow, with high temperatures in the mid fifties again and increasing moderate southeast wind. There's a chance for some rain or snow showers in the afternoon and thunder storms are possible, but little in the way of accumulation is expected. Unsettled and mild weather will continue through mid-week, with clearing expected around Thursday.

***Check out our one-stop weather page........HERE

General Announcements

***Advisories by email for the Logan Zone. Go here for details.

*** Utah Avalanche Center mobile app

Discount lift tickets are now available at Backcountry.com. Thanks to Ski Utah and the Utah Resorts. All proceeds go towards paying for Utah Avalanche Center avalanche and mountain weather advisories.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you shop from Backcountry.com or REI: Click this link for Backcountry.com or this link to REI, shop, and they will donate a percent of your purchase price to the UAC. Both offer free shipping (with some conditions) so this costs you nothing!

***Please submit snow and avalanche observations from your ventures in the backcountry HERE. You can call us at 801-524-5304 or email HERE, or include #utavy in your Instagram or Tweet us @UAClogan. To report avalanche activity in the Logan Area or to contact the local avalanche forecaster call me, Toby, at 435-757-7578.

I'll regularly update this advisory on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings by about 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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