Logan Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Toby Weed

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

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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 1 or Low danger in the backcountry around Logan, and avalanches are generally unlikely. Exceptions and pockets of level 2 or Moderate danger exist in steep upper elevation terrain. Shallow triggered wind slab avalanches are possible on a few slopes exposed to drifting. Also,generally manageable, but potentially long running, triggered loose dry sluffs are again probable on very steep slopes. Generally safe avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry for now, but you should evaluate the snow and terrain carefully in steep areas, especially on exposed upper elevation slopes..


CURRENT CONDITIONS

The Campbell Scientific Logan Peak weather station at 9700' reports 25 degrees and winds from the north-northwest this morning. Overnight hourly windspeeds averaged around 20 mph for a few hours before returning into the mid-teens range. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 26 degrees this morning, and there is 30 inches of total snow on the ground.. With 7 inches of water equivalent, the station sits at 69% of average for the date..

Conditions are still too shallow for off-track powder riding, and I've been sticking to roadways and following your tracks in the smooth upper elevation meadows. You have to keep your speed down because you sink pretty deeply into sugary recrystallized snow, and it's quite easy to hit buried rocks, stumps, or down trees... The snow is fast, making even very low angled slopes pretty fun... We've been finding the best power-like recrystallized conditions on smooth mid-elevation slopes...


RECENT ACTIVITY

I triggered a shallow wind slab Thursday near the ridge in the Hunter's Cave Area. The small soft slab on an east facing slope at around 9500' in elevation was only 4 to 6 inches deep and around 20 feet wide, and it stopped after running only a few feet. I'm thinking there could be a few more of these little slabs scattered about, and some could be a bit bigger especially with last night's slight increase in windspeeds...


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

You might encounter fresh shallow wind slabs in exposed terrain, and this danger will increase if winds pick up. Watch for drifted fresh snow on the lee sides of ridges and subridges and in and around terrain features like gullies, scoops, and cliff bands... The danger of being caught in even a small early season avalanche is greatly increased by the shallowly buried and exposed rocks you could be raked over...


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Generally manageable triggered loose dry sluffs involving weak sugary snow are again probable on very steep slopes today, so avoid terrain where you could be swept into gullies, rocks or trees below.. You might be surprised by the quantity of snow involved and the speed at which these sluffs can move especially on a steep and sustained slope....


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Looks like a beautiful day to be in the mountains, with sunny skies and 8000' high temperatures forecast around freezing and a light north breeze...Looks similar tomorrow, with partly cloudy skies, a high temperature of around 32 degrees and a southwesterly breeze. The next in the seemingly endless stream of splitting storms will affect the zone on Monday with a slight chance of accumulating snow. A better chance for accumulation comes late Wednesday into Thursday, depending on the storm track....


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

I will update this advisory by around 7:30 in the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.....

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.