Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains
Saturday morning, April 9, 2016
MODERATE (Level 2): We'll start the day with a low danger, but heightened wet avalanche conditions will develop fairly quickly as the day heats up and the snow softens. Avalanches will be possible on steep slopes by afternoon, with cornice fall, loose wet sluffs, and other wet avalanche activity possible. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, and avoid travel on or below large cornices. Retreat from steep slopes if you start sinking deeply into melt-softened saturated snow in the heat of the day.
Weather and Snow
Temperatures stayed above freezing overnight again at all mountain weather stations, and I'm reading 35 degrees at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak station, with south winds, currently averaging around 22 mph. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports a toasty 41 degrees with 80 inches of total snow containing 100% of average water for the date. Expect only a superficial surface refreeze this morning, with the snow softening early again. The danger of wet avalanches will once again rise from low this morning, and likely rise to moderate on steep slopes by afternoon. Heightened avalanche conditions will develop, with wet avalanches and cornice falls possible. We found good riding conditions in soft spring snow, but it was so warm that the snow got a little too soft in the early afternoon and it was time to leave by about 2:00.
We found good spring riding conditions Friday in Steep Hollow. (3-8-16)
Recent Avalanches
- Yesterday, we could see a few recent sled triggered loose wet avalanches on steep east facing slopes in Steep Hollow.
- Natural wet avalanches during the heat of the day and involving late March snow were common across the Logan Zone in the first few days of April.
Examples of recent wet activity in Steep Hollow. (3-8-16)
***To view our updated list of backcountry observations and avalanche activity from around Utah, go to our observations page
Wet Snow
Description
Moist sluffs entraining melt-saturated surface snow are possible with warming daytime temperatures again today, most likely on sheltered slopes where saturated surface snow becomes softened by the heat. You should leave a steep slope if you start sinking into melt-softened wet snow.
Cornice
Description
Cornices are likely to buckle and naturally calve during daytime heating, and these can trigger wet avalanches on slopes below. As the large overhanging cornices soften with the warmth they can also become easier to trigger and often break further back than expected. Obviously, you should avoid travel under large cornices in the heat of the day.
Cornice Falls are likely during the heat of the day. (N Hell's 4-6-16)
Additional Information
Scattered rain, snow, and thunder showers are possible today, and it'll be mostly cloudy in the mountains. Expect a high temperature at 9000' of around 50 degrees and moderate south-southwest wind. Rain and snow showers will be likely tonight, with a low around 34 degrees and continuing south-southwest wind. Little or no accumulation is expected. The weather on Sunday will be quite similar to today's, perhaps a few degrees cooler. A stronger and colder storm system is expected to impact the area beginning Wednesday.
General Announcements
The National Avalanche Center recently completed an animated tutorial on the North American Avalanche Danger Scale. HERE
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.
This is the final week of regular advisories and we'll be issuing intermittent advisories as weather dictates starting next week (4-11-16)
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.