Advisory: Logan Area Mountains | Issued by Toby Weed for February 22, 2013 - 6:32am |
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Above 8,500 ft.
7,000-8,500 ft.
5,000-7,000 ft.
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bottom line The danger is LOW and avalanches are rather unlikely on most slopes, but there are also localized areas with a MODERATE (or level 2) danger in the backcountry. Heightened avalanche conditions exist, and you could trigger wind slab avalanches in upper and mid elevation terrain exposed to recent drifting. Although rather unlikely, you might trigger larger and dangerous persistent slab avalanches on isolated or outlying slopes with poor snow structure and recent accumulations of drifted snow. An approaching storm with heavy snow and strong winds could cause the danger to rise significantly this weekend. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, and continue to use safe travel protocols.
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avalanche watch We've issued an Avalanche Watch for the weekend. We are anticipating that the avalanche danger will rise this weekend with the upcoming storm on Saturday, which has strong winds and snow with it. The storm could overload buried weak layers and produce dangerous avalanches. Be sure to check our avalanche advisories on Saturday and Sunday mornings before heading into the backcountry. |
special announcement It'll be a good weekend to ride the lifts at Beaver Mountain and enjoy the fresh powder. Go to http://www.backcountry.com/utah-avalanche-center to get tickets for Beaver Mountain. You won't save a ton of money, but all proceeds from sales of these tickets will benefit the Utah Avalanche Center, and It's super easy to do. |
current conditions The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 3 inches of accumulation overnight containing 2/10ths of an inch of water. It's 13 degrees, and there is 57 inches of total snow containing 62% of average water content for the date. It's 7 degrees at the CSI Logan Peak weather station, and there is a southwest wind, with wind speeds averaging in the mid teens currently. We've been able to find nice fast shallow powder and mostly stable conditions in the backcountry this week, with the best snow quality on lower angled slopes in sheltered shady areas... |
recent activity No avalanches were reported this week in the Logan Area Mountains... Here's a link to our updated Avalanche List.
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type | aspect/elevation | characteristics |
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Above 8,500 ft.
7,000-8,500 ft.
5,000-7,000 ft.
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description
Expect to find fresh wind slabs in upper and mid elevation terrain exposed to drifting from the recent west and southwest winds. Wind slabs are building up on weak sugary snow that was on or near the snow surface in early February. Avoid stiff wind deposited snow on steep slopes, and watch for potential wind slabs in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gullies, and cliff bands. Be cautious traveling along the high ridges, since overhanging cornices might break further back than expected, and cornice falls could trigger wind slab avalanches on slopes below. Stiff wind slabs have a nasty habit of allowing you to get out on then before releasing.
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type | aspect/elevation | characteristics |
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Above 8,500 ft.
7,000-8,500 ft.
5,000-7,000 ft.
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description
Steep, recently drifted, rocky, outlying upper and mid elevation slopes with generally shallow and weak snow cover and recent wind loads are the most suspect. Persistent slab avalanches might fail 1 to 2 feet deep on weak sugary faceted snow Although the chances are slim, you might trigger dangerous persistent slab avalanches in some areas remotely, from a distance or worse, from below. As weight from new snow builds up over the weekend, the currently dormant faceted snow may reawaken, and the danger of persistent slab avalanches will rise. Whumpfing and deep cracking are red flags indicating potential persistent slab instability.
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weather We'll see some snow today, with 9000' high temperatures around 22 degrees and moderate west winds. 1 to 3 inches of accumulation are forecast by evening. it will snow tonight, and southwest winds will intensify significantly. 3 to 7 inches of accumulation is forecast, with 30 mph average southwest winds and much higher gusts. Snow will continue in earnest tomorrow, with 4 to 8 inches of accumulation forecast and strong west and west-northwest winds anticipated... Snowfall will continue Saturday night and taper off on Sunday. Another storm is possible on around Tuesday before more stable high pressure conditions develop again... Check out the new Logan Mountain Weather page...
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general annoucements The infamous annual CROWBAR backcountry ski race is scheduled for Saturday, February 23 in Beaver Creek Canyon. Click HERE for more details... For a printer friendly version of this advisory click HERE Remember your information from the backcountry can save lives. If you see or trigger an avalanche, or see anything else we should know about, please send us your snow and avalanche observations. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or email by clicking HERE. In the Logan Area you can contact Toby Weed directly at 435-757-7578. I will update this advisory on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings by around 7:30... This advisory is produced by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. It describes only general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist. |