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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Thursday morning, April 16, 2020
Over a foot of heavy new snow and drifting from westerly winds yesterday and overnight have created areas of CONSIDERABLE danger on upper elevation slopes. In exposed terrain, people are likely to trigger 1 to 3 foot deep slab avalanches of wind drifted snow. Fast and long running soft slab and loose avalanches of storm snow are also possible for people to trigger on many steep slopes at all elevations, and some natural activity may occur.
  • Cautious route finding and conservative decision making are essential today.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, and continue to practice safe travel protocols to minimize your risk during the current health crisis.
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Weather and Snow
It's snowing in the mountains this morning and well over a foot of heavy snow fell at upper elevations yesterday and overnight. It's 21°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel and there is 97 inches of total snow with 122% of normal Snow Water Equivalent. It's 12°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and winds have recently switched from west to east and winds are currently blowing around 15 mph.
Today, people are likely to trigger slab avalanches of wind drifted new snow if they venture on some steep upper elevation slopes. Soft slab and loose avalanches of storm snow are also possible in steep terrain, and some natural avalanche activity is possible.
A weather disturbance will slowly cross the region through early Friday. Temperatures will return to near seasonal norms this weekend into early next week.
It is snowing in the mountains this morning, with 2 to 4 inches of additional accumulation possible today on upper elevation slopes. It will be cloudy with 8500' high temperatures around 26°F, and 15 to 20 mph east winds, gradually decreasing in the afternoon. Snow showers are possible early tonight, then it will become partly cloudy, with a low temperature around 12°F and 6 to 9 mph north winds. Tomorrow will be sunny, with high temperatures around 34°F, and 5 to 7 mph east wind, switching from the west in the afternoon.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Yesterday and overnight sustained westerly winds drifted the new snow even while it was falling. The winds shifted from the east this morning and drifts may form in unexpected areas today. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on some upper elevation slopes where people are likely to trigger slab avalanches of wind drifted snow.
  1. 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.
  2. Cracking is a sign of instability.
  3. Stay off and out from under large ridge top cornices, which could break much further back than expected and could trigger avalanches on slopes below.
Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Human triggered soft slab and loose avalanches of storm snow are possible on steep slopes where significant new snow has accumulated at all elevations, even in sheltered terrain.
Expect the instabilities to stabilize fairly quickly during the day today.
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.
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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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