Logan Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Toby Weed

BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)


Danger Rose Tutorial

There is a MODERATE danger in the backcountry this morning, and conditions could get more dangerous as the day progresses. Periods of heavy snowfall, especially if accompanied by strong or sustained winds, will cause a rising danger of storm snow and wind slab avalanches at upper elevations. Rain and warm temperatures will cause a rising danger of wet avalanches at lower and mid elevations, and wet/persistent slab avalanches are possible at these elevations on normally shady slopes. Pockets with a CONSIDERABLE danger may develop in some low elevation areas.

Use conservative decision making, careful route finding, and good travel protocols.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Unfortunately, yesterday's greenhouse affect destroyed the nice low and mid elevation powder stashed in many areas. The warmth caused lots of settlement, with the total snow stake up at Tony Grove dropping 4 inches in a few steamy midday hours.


RECENT ACTIVITY

We've had a great chance to check out the aftermath of last week's extensive avalanche cycle, (2-21-09 photos)

No new triggered avalanches were reported from the busy weekend backcountry...


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Today's snowfall will create the usual fresh snow dangers, with the danger higher during periods of high precipitation rates and in areas exposed to wind drifting.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Avalanches failing on buried weak layers consisting of either surface hoar or small facets are possible on some slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. The danger appears to be the highest on low elevation slopes facing the northern half of the compass. Warming and rain on these slopes could cause the situation to get more dangerous, with wet/persistent slab avalanches becoming possible

My group triggered shooting cracks and found evidence of weak snowpack structure yesterday up in Tab Hollow.


THREAT #3

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 8 hours.

Rain and warm temperatures will lead to further saturation of lower elevation snow, and wet avalanches are increasingly possible. The danger of wet slab avalanches will increase on slopes plagued by persistent weak layers.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

A low pressure system off the California coast is pumping Pacific moisture in weak disturbances headed our way. Looks like about 6 inches possible at higher elevations today, with more likely in areas favored by the southwest flow. The cold front will pass through our region tonight. More weak disturbances are expected to follow later in the week.....


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our "Know before You Go" video is available online..... (click HERE to watch it)

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Your snow and avalanche observations help everyone in the backcountry community. Please let us know what you're seeing by leaving a message at (435-)755-3638 or 1-800-662-4140, or email us at uac@utahavalanchecenter.org. .

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 around 7:30 Wednesday morning.


This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done.  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.


This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.