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 wind exposed upper and mid elevation slopes.. In some areas, pockets of a higher level 3 danger persist, and you could trigger dangerous persistent slab avalanches on slopes where a stiffer slab consisting of drifted snow formed on top of very weak sugary or faceted snow. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully today and avoid steep slopes with stiff accumulations of drifted snow. You'll find safer conditions in sheltered and lower angled terrain, on sunny south facing slopes, and at lower elevations....


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Dangerously shallow snow, lack of powder, a year end rain-crust, and generally less than enjoyable inconsistent snow conditions continue to keep the backcountry quiet, as it has been in the past couple weeks. But, we've still recently found some pretty nice soft Colorado-like sugar on some north facing slopes and supportable spring-like corn snow on upper elevation south facing slopes. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 33 inches of total snow on the ground containing 49% of average water for the date, and its 21degrees this morning. It's 15 degrees at the 9700' Campbell Scientific Logan Peak weather station. Winds shifted from the west overnight and are cranking out nearly 30 mph hourly averages this morning...


RECENT ACTIVITY

Central Wasatch backcountry skiers triggered a couple slabs yesterday in wind exposed terrain. And explosive control work up in Scotts Bowl at Park City showed fairly sensitive conditions and a lingering avalanche danger. (go to our current conditions page for more details) Locally: no avalanches have been reported since the first of the year.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Hard or soft persistent slab avalanches running on weak and sugary faceted snow could be around a foot deep... Avalanches in some areas might be sensitive or easy to trigger, and you might trigger them remotely from a distance or worse, from below. Harder old wind slabs might be much more stubborn and could allow you to get out on them before releasing.. Pay attention to signs of instability like cracking and collapsing, and be willing to reevaluate your route or change plans if you encounter red flag conditions...


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Shallow hard wind slab avalanches are possible on steep slopes in areas exposed to recent drifting, and these could sweep out and entrain significant quantities of weak sugary underlying old snow. Watch for and avoid smooth rounded or pillowy wind deposits that often have a chalky appearance and a hollow sound on the lee side of major ridgelines and in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gullies, scoops and cliff bands. Obviously, even a fairly small avalanche could be quite dangerous if you are caught and swept over shallowly buried rocks or into trees below...


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

A strong high pressure system will control the weather through tomorrow. Expect sunny and warmer conditions in the mountains today, with 8000' highs of around 32 degrees. But, an increasing westerly breeze will keep things feeling pretty cool. Temperatures will drop back into the teens tonight and west winds will continue to gradually ramp-up in strength.. Saturday will be sunny, warmer and increasingly windy, with intensifying westerly winds and mountain high temperatures approaching 40 degrees. Sunday will also be mostly clear, warm and windy... A vigorous and fast moving storm will begin to affect our area Sunday Night, with several inches of accumulation possible in the mountains by Monday morning....

It looks like the weather pattern is changing, with warm, wet, and windy conditions continuing next week. Given all the very weak snow on the ground, this will cause the avalanche danger to rise significantly...


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please consider a donation to your favorite non-profit –The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. The Utah Avalanche Center depends on contributions from users like you to support our work.....

Please send us your observations from the backcountry especially if you see or trigger an avalanche, but also even if you don't.. go to avalanche and snow observations. You can also call me directly at 435-757-7578 or leave us a message at our office, 801-524-5304.... And, you can always send us a simple email by clicking HERE

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.