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 LOW danger on most slopes this morning, with generally safe avalanche conditions. However, you could trigger isolated wind slab avalanches or sizable cornice-falls, and there are pockets with a MODERATE danger on steep slopes in terrain exposed to wind drifting. Solar warming and warmer air temperatures will cause the danger of wet avalanches to rise to MODERATE on steep slopes with moist or saturated surface snow by late morning in some areas....

Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully and use good travel habits.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

You'll still be able to find nice settled powder conditions at all elevations on slopes that aren't overly exposed to sun or wind. The most popular comment from observers this week has been, "I was surprised how good the snow was in there, even in the sun" or, "I didn't think it would still be that good."

Remember the sun-screen, gob-stopper, and lots of fluids today, as powerful high angle spring sunshine and warm south winds will heat things up in the mountains. Again, expect to find a softening crust this morning on anything facing the south half of the compass.

Overnight winds at the Campbell Scientific weather station on Logan Peak shifted from the west and are currently posting 15 to 20 mph average speeds.....

The total snow stake at the Tony Grove Snotel reads 85 inches, with 94% of normal water content and its 22 degrees at 8400'.


RECENT ACTIVITY

No significant avalanche activity reported from the backcountry since Monday's storm.......

(recent avalanche photos from 3-13-09)


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 12 hours.

With warm and windy weather conditions, the giant local overhanging cornices are suspect again today, and you could trigger dangerous cornice-falls along exposed ridge-lines. These are often quite deceptive, and are likely to break farther back or much wider than expected.

Isolated wind slab avalanches are still possible on very steep slopes in some exposed terrain, especially on the lee side of prominent ridge-lines. Watch for old wind slabs in terrain features like gullies or scoops, and stiffer cross-loaded snow around cliff bands and sub-ridges in exposed terrain.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 10 hours.

Temperatures in Cache Valley stayed pretty cool all week, and low and mid elevation snow hasn't yet warmed up in many areas...Fresh snow that is initially warmed can be fairly unstable, with loose wet avalanches a possibility....Could be the day that lower elevation shady slopes reach this state, or the danger could remain only on slopes facing the southern 3/8's of the compass, as has been the case in the last few days.

Wet avalanches will become possible on any steep slope with saturated surface snow. Roller balls or pin-wheels often foretell wet avalanche activity. Fresh natural avalanches on similar slopes are of-course, obvious red flags....


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Expect fair and mild weather in the mountains today, under the grip of a departing ridge of high pressure. Expect high temperatures at 9000' around 40 degrees and an increasing south wind... Clouds will move in overnight, and we could see a little snowfall after midnight. Sunday should bring light snow to the mountains, with an inch or so of accumulation possible.

A mild and mostly dry westerly flow will control the weather pattern over the region next week.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please show your support for the Logan branch of the Utah Avalanche Center and help us create more helpful forecast products by taking our quick and easy on-line Web survey, (click HERE to partake).

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

Please let us know what you're seeing in the backcountry, especially if you see or trigger an avalanche, by leaving us a message at (435-)755-3638 or 1-800-662-4140. Or, you can always e-mail us at uac@utahavalanchecenter.org. . Your observations are very important for our program.....

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.

The Utah Avalanche Center depends on contributions from users like you to support our work.

I will update this advisory by around 7:30 Monday 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.