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HEREYou can find nice snow and good coverage for this time of year in the Logan Zone, but heightened avalanche conditions remain on upper elevation slopes with poor snow structure. Although becoming less likely with time, dangerous human triggered avalanches 1 to 3 feet deep remain possible. High pressure weather conditions are bad for future stability and weak layers are developing within and on the surface of the shallow snow currently on the ground.
At midnight the Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reported 25º F and 32"of total snow, containing 102% of average SWE for the date. A southwest wind is blowing 15 to 20 mph this morning on James Peak
Southwesterly winds will increase in the mountains today ahead of a weak storm system which will cross the area late tonight into tomorrow morning. A stronger and colder storm system will impact the area Wednesday. Expect partly sunny conditions in the mountains today, with high temperatures at 8500' around 33º F and 10 to 15 mph southwest wind. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a chance for some snow and low temperature around 14º F and 9 to 14 mph south-southwest wind, veering from the west after midnight. Some snow is possible in the morning, but it'll become partly sunny tomorrow, with a high temperature around 26º F and 11 to 13 mph west wind. Wednesday's system has cold air and good dynamics with it, but it will be moving through rapidly, which will keep snow amounts from being too great. 2 to 4 inches of accumulation is possible during the day.
Powder Mountain's snow safety team found well developed surface hoar feathers or frost crystals on the snow surface yesterday. Surface hoar can become a tricky persistent weak layer if buried intact.
