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 level 2 or MODERATE avalanche danger in the backcountry, and heightened avalanche conditions exist on drifted upper elevation slopes. Triggered wind slab and isolated deep slab avalanches are possible in steep exposed terrain...Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully. You'll find a safer, level 1 or LOW danger at lower elevations and in sheltered terrain.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

You'll find very deep snow in the backcountry after a super productive storm and a couple days with sub-zero temperatures.... The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reported 5.3 inches of water equivalent form the big November 20-23 storm, and upper elevations in the Central Bear River Range picked up more than 5 feet of new snow. There's now 50 inches of settled snow on the ground containing 10.4 inches of water equivalent, and the station is currently sitting at 187% of average for the date... It's warming up in the mountains this morning, with Tony Grove reporting 15 degrees and Logan Peak 13 at 6:00 this morning. Overnight west northwest winds were in the upper teens at 9700', and are now averaging 12 mph... Temperatures should rise into the 20s today in the mountains.

The deep cold snow is fairly slow, with tedious trail breaking the norm. You'll find the best powder conditions in sheltered terrain, as it has been quite windy up high this week. It's difficult riding in the deep snow at upper elevations, and I spent a few hours excavating my Nitro up in the Tony Grove Campground on Wednesday. It was a good thing I had a shovel, and I was able to keep quite warm in below zero temperatures digging a foundation-sized hole in five feet deep drifted powder. I'm hoping settlement and sublimation have improved conditions a bit.


RECENT ACTIVITY

No significant avalanches have been reported or observed in the Logan Area....


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Stiff, freshly formed wind slabs 1-2 feet deep or deeper may be sensitive to human triggering today. These most likely built up in exposed upper elevation terrain and in and around terrain features like gullies, sub-ridges, scoops, and cliff bands.... Lee slopes below building cornices are suspect. Always a good idea to avoid steep drifted slopes with trees or other terrain traps below.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Dangerous deep hard slab avalanches are possible on isolated, upper elevation slopes with generally shallow snow cover and recent drifting......


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Expect warming temperatures today and tomorrow in the mountains. A southerly wind will pick up tomorrow ahead of the next Pacific storm, which should bring another good shot of snow beginning Saturday night and lasting through Sunday... 10 to 16 inches of accumulation are forecast for upper elevations this weekend.

It looks like a progressive weather pattern for next week, and after a short-lived break on Monday more storms are likely......


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

We're offering another free backcountry avalanche awareness/Know Before You Go talk on Tuesday, December 7 at 6:00 downstairs at the Logan Ranger District office 1500 E Hwy 89 in Logan....

You can view a photo summary of last year's avalanche activity in the Logan Area HERE

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.