Hello and good morning, this is Toby
Weed of the
Due to lack of snow in the
backcountry we’ve discontinued our regular advisories for the
season. We will continue to issue avalanche
statements through the month of April for weekends or to reflect significant
changes in weather or backcountry snow and avalanche
conditions.
Current Conditions:
Spring
is definitely here, and you can find supportable, smooth and soft conditions in
the backcountry. As usual in the
spring, you’ll be rewarded for an early start by better and safer snow
conditions, and you’ll have plenty of time for yard work or spring recreation
options since you’ll also get back down to town early. Mountain temperatures stayed well above
freezing overnight and will likely warm into the 50s today. Any surface refreeze won’t last long
today. The few inches of drifted
fresh snow at upper elevations from Monday is a far cry from powder. It more
closely resembles mashed potatoes and still needs to cook down for a while into
friendlier firm corn snow. We found
better spring snow conditions yesterday on mid and lower elevation slopes. With regional Snotel sites reporting a
little more than 60% of average water in the snowpack and dry ground at lower
elevations and on higher sunny slopes, we are looking at a much earlier end to
the season than we’ve seen in the last couple years. You should get out and enjoy the
remaining snow while you can… Numerous avalanche paths in the
region where large natural avalanches ran down to lower elevations in late
February or early March offer reasonable access for those on foot and willing
bushwhack a little.
The
Avalanche
Conditions:
Despite
increasing cloud cover, mountain temperatures are forecast to be warm today in
advance of a weak storm. Loose wet
avalanches will become more likely on all steep slopes as the snow heats up
during the day. These will entrain
all of the soft surface snow and could reach a significant size, especially on
big slopes. Although
you can normally escape wet point-release avalanches that you trigger, they can
be quite dangerous to anyone in the line of fire. It’s best to avoid problems, stay out
from under steep slopes warmed by daytime heating, and leave when the new snow
on the slope you’re on gets sloppy or saturated.
Sustained
westerly winds in the last several days raked the fresh snow from exposed slopes
and drifted it into fetch areas. Although only a couple inches of new snow fell
on Monday, yesterday we found sensitive drifts in the 1’-1.5’ deep range on
exposed slopes at upper elevations.
I noticed rapid stabilization of these during the day, but you might be
able to trigger wind slab avalanches on a few very steep drifted upper elevation
slopes. You should avoid any obvious drifts on steep slopes, and as always be
cautious if you encounter stiff, wind-blown snow.
Bottom
Line:
We are
no longer issuing danger ratings.
However, although currently generally unlikely, human triggered
avalanches are possible on some steep slopes in the region.
Mountain
Weather:
Expect
increasing clouds, mild temperatures, and breezy conditions in the backcountry
today. Snow or rain showers are
possible this afternoon, with little accumulation likely. Mountain high temperatures will be in
the 50s today and will hover around freezing tonight. Expect a clearing and
warming trend as we head into the weekend.
General Information:
Check out photos of avalanches in
the Logan Area on our images
page.
Go to the Avalanche
Encyclopedia if you have any questions about terms I use in the
advisory. I also recommend the recently-released Media Page, which
shows the forecast danger for our coverage areas across the state.
Please e-mail me at
[email protected] or leave me a message at 755-3638 if you see or trigger
avalanches in the backcountry. The information you provide may save
lives...
The information in this advisory is
from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.
This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always
occur.