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

You'll find heightened avalanche conditions and a level 2 or Moderate danger on many mid and upper elevation slopes in the backcountry today, and you could trigger dangerous avalanches on steep drifted slopes. Pockets with a level 3 or Considerable danger remain on slopes with weak snow preexisting before last weekend's storm... Human triggered persistent slab avalanches are still probable today on some slopes above around 8000' in elevation and facing the northern half of the compass. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision making will still be critical in the backcountry today, especially if you venture into the higher elevations....


CURRENT CONDITIONS

The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 13 degrees this morning with 22 inches of total snow on the ground... The Hwy 89 Logan Summit weather station reports a sustained west northwest wind from overnight with gusts in the mid 40 mph range.... Very shallow snow conditions exist at mid and lower elevations and upper elevation slopes with better snow cover also contain areas with dangerous avalanche conditions...

Remember that the Tony Grove Road is not maintained for wheeled vehicles in the winter....The road is currently snow and ice covered, with around 2 feet of new snow up high from the weekend storm. In the early season, snowmobiles, 4x4s, and pedestrians will all have to share the road, so keep your speed down and be respectful of other users....


RECENT ACTIVITY

Locally, we encountered many obvious signs of instability south of Tony Grove Lake on Monday.... Large audible collapses and remote triggered shooting cracks occurred with our presence everywhere we went. We noted a large natural avalanche (about 2 feet deep and around 100 feet wide) in the Tony Grove-Blind Hollow Saddle. Other natural avalanches may have occurred in the region, but none were reported....


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

With over 3 inches of water in well over 2 feet of new snow and sustained and gusty winds from the south and west over the weekend, on many slopes a significant slab built on weak faceted or sugary preexisting snow... Areas with dangerous avalanche conditions remain on any steep slope that was snow covered before last weekend's storm, mostly on northerly facing slopes above around 8000' in elevation. Pay attention to obvious signs of instability like collapsing and cracking and avoid and stay out from under steep drifted slopes... Avalanches could be triggered remotely from a distance or worse, from below.....


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Strong and gusty winds formed significant fresh drifts and slabs in exposed terrain.... Stiff wind drifts will be found on the lee sides of ridges, in scoops, near cliff bands, and in gullies... Avoid smooth rounded or chalky looking drifts on steep slopes, and be wary of areas with wind stiffened or deposited surface snow.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch due to an approaching storm that will impact our area starting Friday.... Expect increasing clouds today, with 8000' temperatures climbing into the upper 20s and a northwest breeze switching around from the southwest by evening... Southwest winds and clouds will increase overnight tonight. It will be windy tomorrow, with strengthening southwest winds and 2 to 4 inches of snow may fall... The next weekend storm will impact the Bear River Range starting Friday, with 16 to 24 inches of snowfall Friday and Friday night currently forecast.....


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please join the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center in Logan for our annual "Pray for Snow" Fundraiser and Party on Wednesday November 30th at the Italian Place in downtown Logan. The event will feature a silent auction, raffle, great food, music, and a special presentation by Bruce Tremper, the Director of the Utah Avalanche Center.Please call 757-2794 for more info.

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 435-757-7578 or 801-524-5304 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.

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.

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.