Tragically, a snowmobiler from Evanston, Wyoming was killed yesterday in an avalanche he triggered in the Uinta Mountains in the Moffit Basin area. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. He was apparently a high-end rider and well-known in the community. It appears that they left their avalanche rescue gear in their vehicles because they did not plan to get onto any avalanche terrain but it appears that the victim triggered the avalanche from mid slope in Super Bowl, a popular snowmobile play area. We have a preliminary report and Craig Gordon will post a more complete report tonight after he returns from visiting the accident site today.

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.

Expect an increasing avalanche danger tomorrow with a Winter Storm Warning, heavy snowfall, and winds...

The productive storm earlier this week filled in the rocky upper elevation terrain across the region with several feet of dense and drifted snow. Lower elevations also did fairly well, but there's only a foot or less at most trailheads and front side canyons. Winds have damaged the snow surface in exposed areas, but sheltered slopes are still soft and powdery....

The Tony Grove Snotel reports 47 inches of total snow containing 10.4 inches of water. South winds picked up overnight at the Campbell Scientific Logan Peak weather station, with gusts in the 40 mph range. It's 18 degrees at 9700'.

I could finally see yesterday, and I noticed evidence a fair amount of natural activity at upper elevations from during the productive and windy storm earlier in the week. Some of these were large and substantial hard slab avalanches....see list

Expect warming temperatures today, and a southerly wind will continue to pick up ahead of the next Pacific storm, which should bring another good shot of snow beginning late tonight and lasting through Sunday night... The National Weather service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the mountains... 1-2+ feet of powdery accumulation are forecast for upper elevations by Monday morning. We're hoping for fairly light density snow....

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

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

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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.