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

The danger level remains LOW (or Level 1) in the backcountry around Logan. Avalanches are generally unlikely, but recent drifting created a few pockets of (level 2) or MODERATE danger in exposed upper elevation terrain. Shallow snow conditions exist dictating a conservative and slow approach.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

It looks like a couple more inches of light snow fell in the Central Bear River Range in the evening and overnight. Yesterday, we found very nice shallow powder and dust-on-crust conditions on smooth slopes at upper elevations. Unfortunately, warm temperatures last week melted off most sunny slopes and forested areas, and there are many places with bare ground and only a skiff of new snow....

Remember to keep the speed down and watch carefully for shallowly buried rocks and other obstacles. Also, the Tony Grove Road is not maintained for wheeled vehicles in the winter. Expect patches of ice, deepening snow, and deteriorating driving conditions.


RECENT ACTIVITY

No recent avalanche activity has been observed in the Logan Area, and the shallow underlying snowpack at upper elevations is fairly dense and supportable... The few inches of powder from Monday and through the week are subject to a large temperature gradient with the cold air temperatures contrasting significantly with the warm October snow below. I noticed a tell-tail granular or sugary texture in the cold surface snow. This is faceting, indicating the potential development of a persistent weak layer which may well haunt us later on in the season


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

One member of my party triggered an audible collapse or woomphing noise and shooting cracks in a freshly drifted area..... Northwest winds yesterday were certainly strong enough to build shallow wind drifts with the soft surface snow. Wind slabs formed in exposed terrain at the highest elevations and in and around terrain features like gullies, scoops, and cliff bands.... Even a small wind slab could spell trouble if you get caught and swept into trees or other terrain traps below. As usual, you should avoid wind deposits on steep slopes....


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Its a good idea to practice with your rescue equipment in the early season.... Shallow, simple problems in snow, or even in urban leaf piles, are recommended.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

The pattern will continue with fairly benign and cold conditions. Expect continued cloudy weather, but only a little snowfall as storms clip by from the north. A change in the weather pattern is likely around the middle of next week, with a milder and moist zonal flow in the works....


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Don't miss our annual Pray for Snow party and fundraiser, Wednesday December 1st at the Italian Place.

We're offering a free avalanche awareness/ Know Before You Go Talk on Thursday, November 18, 6:00 pm, at the Logan Ranger District Offices, 1500 E. Hwy 89

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

Donate to your favorite non-profit – The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work.

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 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.