There is a CONSIDERABLE danger, and dangerous triggered persistent slab avalanches 2 to 3 feet deep are probable above around 8000 feet in elevation on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees, especially on those facing north through east.. You might trigger a large avalanche remotely, or worse, from below. Smaller avalanches overrunning slopes with deeply buried weak layers could produce much larger deep slab avalanches...

The danger is LOW or MODERATE at lower elevations and on sunnier slopes, most with generally very shallow snow cover for this time of year....

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With a temperature of 22 degrees at 5:00 this morning, the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 40 inches of total snow on the ground and with the help of a moist New Years storm, the station is now up to a dismal 49% of average water content for the date. Its also 22 degrees at the Campbell Scientific weather station on Logan Peak at 9700', and the wind sensor is recording consistent 14 mph north winds...

I found it easy to bog down in the heavy New Years snow when I rode off the beaten path on the flats in upper Steep Hollow. My track dug down into the weak December snow underneath, and I then found myself digging with a shovel a couple times to get the sled turned and unstuck....Under the stiff slab from the New Years storm, the snow was loose and granular, small-grained like white sugar. And near the ground, the loose snow was a bit larger grained like sea salt.

Last weekend was active in the Logan Area, with a number of fairly large triggered avalanches, and luckily no injuries...Here's an updated local backcountry avalanche list:

My party and I intentionally triggered a fairly large avalanche Wednesday (1-6-10) off the Crescent Lake-Steep Hollow Ridge with a very small cornice drop. The avalanche was a bit bigger and a bit more sensitive than we'd anticipated. I posted the report here…

Expect fair weather conditions in the mountains today, and it'll warm up nicely with mountain high temperatures approaching 30 degrees. A weak system makes its way into the region for the weekend, bringing clouds and a chance for a bit of light snow tomorrow. Then the high pressure will build overhead early next week....Another weak storm system may bring a chance for a little accumulation around the middle of next week......

I will be issuing morning avalanche advisories for the Logan area on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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Send us your avalanche and snow observations. You can also call me at 435-757-7578 or the SLC office at 800-662-4140, or email to uac@utahavalanchecenter.org

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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.

I will update this forecast Saturday morning. Thanks for checking in....