Weak surface snow, consisting of sugary near surface facets and surface hoar feathers, is widespread in the Logan Zone, and this weekend's wet, warm, and windy storm is causing the avalanche danger to rise significantly in the backcountry.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 5 inches of heavy snow overnight, with .8" SWE. It's 27º F this morning and there's 59" of total snow containing 87% of average SWE for the date. It's 22º F, at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station. Southwest winds diminished somewhat since frontal passage early this morning, and are currently averaging around 30 mph, with an earlier gust of 76 mph from the south.
A series of storm systems will impact the area through the middle of the week. Today it'll snow in the mountains, with 9 to 13 inches of accumulation possible. Temperatures at 8500' expected to drop to around 27º F, and sustained southwest winds will blow 30 to 35 mph with 50 mph gusts. Tonight, we'll see more heavy snow and continuing southwest wind. Temperatures will rise to around 34º F, and 30 to 35 mph southwest winds are expected to continue. 10 to 16 inches of accumulation is forecast. Snow and winds will continue tomorrow, with 8 to 12 inches possible, temperatures around 33º F, and 32 to 36 mph south-southwest wind, gusting to around 55 mph.
Other than minor loose wet avalanches at lower elevations yesterday, no significant avalanches were reported recently in the Logan Zone.
There were a few close calls in the Provo and Salt Lake Area Mountains yesterday, involving loose wet avalanches. reports are on our avalanche page...
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There were numerous close calls and lucky outcomes across Utah in January, including several in the Logan Zone. Sadly, we have two recent fatalities to report, both from the Manti La Sal National Forest.
-A snowmobile rider was killed in the La Sal Mountains near Moab on 1/25/18. report is
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-A backcountry skier was killed near Fairview on 1/18/19. report is
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