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 danger in the backcountry around Logan. Lingering buried persistent weak layers and warming mountain temperatures indicate heightened avalanche conditions, and triggered avalanches are possible this weekend.. Although unlikely and in isolated locations, persistent hard slab avalanches could be unmanageable, destructive, and dangerous. Wind slab and cornice fall type avalanches are possible in drifted upper elevation terrain. Solar warming will cause an increasing danger on sunny slopes, and you could trigger wet avalanches slopes with soft and saturated surface snow. At the same time, there is a level 1 or Low danger, and stable snow conditions can be found on the majority of steep slopes in the zone. Use normal caution, continue to follow safe travel protocols, and evaluate the snow and terrain carefully.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

We've been able to find some nice shallow powder conditions with a solid, supportable base. You still feel the solid crust from the MLK-Day weekend (1-16) on steep slopes and at lower elevations.

It's a balmy 31 degrees up at the Tony Grove Snotel at 8400', and with 91 inches of total snow on the ground, the snow at the station contains 153% of normal water content for the date.... The wind sensor at the Campbell Scientific Logan Peak weather station is still thickly coated by rime and ice, like all the trees at upper elevations, but it's already 28 degrees and perhaps it'll melt out. Logan Summit reports a 5 mph northwest wind.


RECENT ACTIVITY

Yesterday, snow safety teams in one Wasatch resort used explosives to trigger a couple large hard slab avalanches releasing on buried surface hoar under the solid rime-crust. Riders triggered a handful of similar slides in the Western Uinta range over the last week. No significant avalanches have been reported from the Logan Area since the widespread natural cycle over the MLK-weekend .... Check our backcountry avalanche list.... HERE


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Triggered persistent slabs breaking on buried weak layers below the crust and 2 to 3 feet deep are rather unlikely but still possible today. The 1-16 rime-crust is gradually degrading, and solar warming could change slab properties on some slopes. Pay attention to red flags like rapid warming, cracking, or collapsing.

Also, watch for and avoid stiff wind slabs on the lee sides of ridges and sub-ridges and in terrain dictated deposition areas, like under cliff bands, around rock outcroppings, along gully walls, or in scoops or depressions..... You could trigger 1 foot-deep wind slabs running on buried weak layers above last weekend's ice-crust on isolated steep drifted slopes.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 12 hours.

Recently enlarged, and in some cases huge, ridge-top cornices could break further back than expected. Warming this weekend will cause some of these monsters to sag, and some could naturally calve off in large chunks.


THREAT #3

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 10 hours.

Temperatures this morning are significantly warmer than yesterday, and I'd expect sunny slopes to soften up fairly quickly. Loose wet avalanches are possible today on any steep slope with soft and saturated surface snow. Be extra cautious on steep slopes above gullies, trees, or other terrain traps...


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

We're headed into a high pressure system, and I expect building haze in the valley, with fair and warmer weather in the mountains. The high pressure will strengthen in the next several days and last through the weekend.... There's a chance for a little snow and fresh air in the valleys early next week...


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Come to the TSC Ballroom at USU at 7:00 on Monday January 31,and support local filmmaker Jeremy Jensen at the first showing of "Powder Day Saints, the Second Coming", a locally produced snowboard, ski, powdersurfing film featuring local riders..

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

Join the friends of the Utah Avalanche Center in Logan on facebook. Click HERE

I will update this advisory in the mornings on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and on other days if backcountry avalanche conditions warrant...

You have the opportunity to participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting avalanche and snow observations. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or Toby at 435-757-7578, or email by clicking HERE

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.