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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Thursday morning, January 9, 2025
Although the snow is gradually becoming more stable, heightened avalanche conditions are widespread in mid and upper-elevation terrain. The danger is MODERATE, and people could trigger dangerous slab avalanches that fail on a persistent weak layer buried 1 to 3 feet deep on slopes steeper than 30°. Areas with poor snow structure and more dangerous conditions exist on most slopes facing the northern half of the compass. Although becoming less likely, dangerous avalanches might still be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below.
Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, make conservative decisions.
Avoid drifted slopes with poor snow structure.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
With poor snowpack structure still a major concern, human-triggered avalanches that fail 1 to 3 feet deep on a sugary, persistent weak layer near the ground are possible on many slopes at mid and upper elevations, especially in northerly-facing terrain. In the past few days, drifting formed stiff wind slabs in exposed upper-elevation terrain on slopes facing all directions. Although gradually becoming less likely, avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer might still be triggered remotely (from a distance) or worse, from below.
Observers have been finding nice shallow powder riding across the zone, with safer conditions in sheltered, low-angle terrain out from under and not connected to steep slopes. The danger is generally LOW below about 7000 feet, with very thin snow cover on southerly-facing slopes, which had little or no snow before last weekend.
-The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 20° F, with 59 inches of total snow.
-On Logan Peak at 9700' feet the wind moderated a bit overnight. This morning, it is blowing from the north-northwest around 20 mph, with a high gust of 47 mph recorded last night. It's 12° F and the wind chill value is -7° F.
-It's 14° F at 8800' at our Card Canyon station, with 43 inches of total snow.
-On Paris Peak at 9500' in Bloomington Canyon, it is 11° F, and after blowing from the west 30 to 40 mph yesterday, it's decreased overnight and veered from the north-northeast, currently reading 12 mph.
It'll be mostly sunny and cold in the mountains again today. At 8500 feet, expect a high temperature of 24° F, with winds from the northeast blowing 10 to 17 mph and wind chill values as low as -5° F.
Tonight, skies will be clear, with a low temperature around 8° F. Tomorrow we'll see increasing clouds and winds blowing from the west 15 to 21 mph, with high temperatures around 23° F.
Snow is expected Friday night and Saturday, and it will be heavy at times, with winds blowing 15 to 20 mph and gusts to 40 mph from the west-southwest, and 8 to 14 inches of accumulation possible.
For more information, visit the UAC weather page here: Weather - Utah Avalanche Center
For Logan-specific weather, go here: Logan Mountain Weather - Utah Avalanche Center
Recent Avalanches
A rider was caught in a large avalanche on Saturday, 1-4-2025, in Snowslide Canyon, north of the State Line. The rider was caught, deployed his airbag, was carried by the avalanche, and ended up on top of the debris.
The Davenport Hill and Porter Fork accident reports are complete. Our condolences go out to the victims' families and friends and all those affected by these tragic accidents.
Remember, the information you share about avalanches you see or trigger could save lives. You can read about recent local avalanches and all observations HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Very weak faceted snow exists near the ground on almost all northerly-facing slopes at upper and mid-elevations. While the snow is gradually becoming more stable and definitive signs of instability like collapsing are waning, the buried, sugary, persistent weak layer and poor snowpack structure remain, and people could still trigger large and potentially deadly avalanches.
  • Recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and collapsing (whumpfs) are signs of unstable snow, but these obvious signs of instability will not always be present when a large avalanche occurs.
  • Avalanches might be triggered remotely (from a distance) or worse, from below steep slopes in the flats.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Recent drifting created hard slabs of wind-drifted snow in exposed terrain on slopes facing all directions. Wind slabs may have overloaded slopes with a buried persistent weak layer, and avalanches could be large and destructive. Other wind slab avalanches may break in a newer weak layer or at the old snow surface.
  • Avalanches of wind-drifted snow are most likely on the lee side of major ridges, especially on corniced slopes.
  • Drifting formed new wind slabs in exposed terrain in unexpected or unusual places and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, gullies, and scoops.
  • Hard wind slabs may allow you to get out onto them before releasing, like a giant mouse trap.
Additional Information
Check out the Flygares' 1-8-25 observation from the Northern Bear River Range HERE
General Announcements
-National Forest Winter Recreation Travel Maps show where it's open to ride: UWCNF Logan, Ogden LRD Tony Grove, Franklin Basin CTNF Montpelier
-For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.
-Remember the information you provide could save lives, especially if you see or trigger an avalanche. To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE.
-The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for winter driving.
This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions, and local variations always occur.
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