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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Sunday morning, April 12, 2020
The avalanche danger is LOW, snow is stable, and avalanches are unlikely in the Logan Zone. Exceptions exist on very steep slopes at upper elevations where people might trigger shallow avalanches of wind drifted new snow.
  • Use normal caution
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Uncertainty, Risk, & Decision Making: before, during, and after COVID-19 - Read this thought-provoking blog post about how we take risks by guest author Tom Diegel.
Weather and Snow
It's 23°F, and there is 90 inches of total snow at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel with 110% of normal Snow Water Equivalent. Two or three inches of new snow fell yesterday, with 0.3" SWE. It's 14°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station this morning, and after being strong and gusty from the west yesterday, winds are decreasing this morning, currently blowing about 16 mph from the northwest.
Overnight temperatures dropped well below freezing at all mountain stations, and the avalanche danger is Low in the backcountry. The only avalanche concern today is wind drifted new snow on upper elevation slopes. Strong westerly winds yesterday and overnight created shallow drifts of fresh snow in exposed terrain that could be sensitive to human triggers.
Evaluate terrain carefully and continue to practice safe travel protocols to minimize your risk during the current health crisis. Staying off and out from under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees is the best way to avoid problems.
A cool northwest flow will remain in place across the state through much of the week.
Snow showers are possible in the mountains today, but it will be mostly sunny, with 8500' high temperatures around 30°F, with 15 to 20 mph northwest wind. Wind chill values will be as low as -3°F. It will be partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 12°F, and 6 to 11 mph northwest wind becoming southwest after midnight. Tomorrow, snow showers are possible in the afternoon, with around a half inch of accumulation possible. Skies will be partly sunny with high temperatures around 28°F, and 8 to 17 mph northwest winds.
Recent Avalanches
There were several natural wet loose avalanches and cornice falls in the Logan Zone last week due to very warm temperatures in the mountains.
Natural wet loose avalanches in the Wellsville Mountain Wilderness...
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Temperatures dropped well below freezing in the mountains last night and it will be much cooler today than it has been. The refrozen snow is stable and avalanches are generally unlikely, except on very steep slopes at upper elevations where people might trigger shallow avalanches of fresh wind drifted snow. Expect hard and slick snow conditions, with perhaps more risk of falls or "slide for life" situations than of avalanches in steep terrain. You should bring an ice ax and crampons if you have mountaineering objectives or plan to travel on very steep or sustained slopes today.
  • Watch for cracking as a sign of instability.
  • Avoid stiffer, recently drifted snow near the ridge tops, on corniced slopes, and in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gullies, scoops, and cliff bands.
  • Stay off and out from under large ridge top cornices, which could break much further back than expected and might trigger avalanches on steep slopes below.
Additional Information
Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.
Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.
New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
General Announcements
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Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations....HERE. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.
This forecast is from the USDA Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
We will update this forecast before about 7:30 tomorrow morning.
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