On most slopes in the region there's a LOW danger, and avalanches are generally unlikely.  However, there are exceptions, and pockets with a MODERATE danger exist on some steep slopes.   In the heat of midday, you could trigger loose wet avalanches on some very steep sunny slopes with saturated snow.   Although now  unlikely, the danger of isolated deadly deep slab avalanches still  lingers on some steep upper and mid-elevation slopes.

Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, and use wise travel techniques....

 In most exposed areas the snow is a bit inconsistent, with hidden wind-crusts interspersed in slopes with shallow recrystallized surface snow...Upper elevation north and east facing slopes are the most wind damaged, while sunny slopes will be sloppy by midday and then will quickly re-crust over when they go out of the sun or by evening...You can still find some nice “loud powder” conditions in sheltered shady terrain and on more and more slopes facing both more east and more west.

It's currently below freezing for the first time in a few days, reading 30 degrees at the Campbell Scientific weather station on Logan Peak at 9700'.  The wind sensor is recording southwest winds averaging close to 25 mph.  Expect 9000' high temperatures up around 50 degrees again today, with a few high clouds entering the region...

No significant new avalanches have been reported or observed in the backcountry, but I noticed a couple recent, fairly small loose wet avalanches yesterday up on the southwest side of Cherry Peak in the Mount Naomi Wilderness....

Expect mostly sunny conditions in the mountains again today, with clouds beginning to stream in as the high pressure system starts to break down.  High temperatures of around  50 degrees are expected at the mountain tops...A moist but disorganized storm system will start to affect the region tonight, with increasing west winds and cloud cover.  There is a good chance for some mountain snowfall tomorrow after mid-morning...Despite a high degree of uncertainty and disagreement among the models, looks like we're in line for a good amount of moisture (snow) this weekend and into early next week.

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center and Cache Honda Yamaha invite you to attend an Avalanche Class for Snowmobilers. The class will start Thursday January 29th at 6:30 at CHY (3765 N. Hwy 91, Hyde Park), with an on-the-snow field session on Saturday, January 31st.  Cost: $25 per person for both sessions or $10 for Thursday's classroom session only. To register, please contact Cache Honda Yamaha at 563-6291.

New***   Click HERE for the online version of the Know Before You Go video.

The Utah Avalanche Center depends on contributions from users like you to support our work....You can support the Utah Avalanche Center and get discount lift tickets to  Beaver Mountain (here).  All proceeds from sales will support us through the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center....

Also the friends still have a few items left over from the Logan fundraiser and you can pick up a few killer deals right now..Here are the items that are still available: -

(2) One day passes to Park City Powder Cats to be used during January or March and before April 15th, 2009.  Retail value is $449 each. Suggested Donation: $225 each

-Men's Medium Patagonia Figure 4 Jacket Grey    Suggested Donation: $95

-Yamaha Leather Snowmobile Jacket Men's Medium     Black with Blue marks   Suggested Donation: $100

100% of your donation will support the Utah Avalanche Center.  Email loganavalanche@gmail.com if you are interested in any of these items.

The information in this advisory is from the U.S.D.A.  Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. 

I will update this advisory by 7:30 Friday morning.