Avalanche Advisory
| Advisory: Logan Area Mountains | Issued by Toby Weed for April 3, 2013 - 6:30am |
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Above 8,500 ft.
7,000-8,500 ft.
5,000-7,000 ft.
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bottom line There is a LOW danger this morning, but heightened avalanche conditions and a MODERATE (or level 2) danger of wet avalanches will develop in some areas due to daytime heating. An early departure from the backcountry is a good idea, especially if you start sinking into slushy snow. Evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, avoid steep terrain with melt-softened snow, and continue to follow safe travel protocols...
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special announcement iPhone & iPad users: With help from Backcountry.com & Garafa, LLC, we now have a free mobile app that combines the best of the UAC advisories, observations, and weather summaries with National Weather Service products & UDOT road updates. This puts the tools you need for planning your day and your run in one handy mobile package. Check it out, tell your friends, and let us know what you think.http://utahavalanchecenter. |
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current conditions The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports an inch of new snow from overnight, and it's 35 degrees. With 51"of total snow, the station now contains 58% of average water for the date. The CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700' reports 31 degrees and west-northwest winds, with average wind speeds in the mid teens. With only a superficial overnight refreeze again, the saturated snow will again soften up with today's warmth. Morning riders will find supportable snow, although the thin, veneer-like surface crust will deteriorate in the midday warmth fairly rapidly in places...
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recent activity No new avalanches were reported recently in the Logan Area..... Here's a link to our updated Avalanche List.
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Avalanche Problem 1over the next 12 hours
| 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 a rising danger of wet avalanches as mountain temperatures rise with midday warmth again today, and heightened avalanche conditions will develop in steep terrain. Cornice falls and natural sluffs off rock bands are possible in the midday heat. As always, watch for terrain traps like trees or gullies below you. It's best to plan for an early exit this time of year and retreat if you start sinking into warmth softened wet snow....... Here's a link to Evelyn's blog on Wet Snow Avalanches, in which she notes that 47% of fatalities from wet avalanches are attributed to natural avalanches. This gives us good incentive not to hang out on or under steep slopes in avalanche terrain during the heat of the day when the slushy snow is most likely to avalanche. |
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weather It'll be mostly sunny today, with 9000' high temperatures around 47 degrees, moderate northwest winds, and a chance of snow showers after noon, Some snow showers may continue into tonight, it'll be partly cloudy, with low temperatures in the mid to upper thirties and a westerly breeze. Tomorrow will bring mostly sunny skies, south-southwest winds and mountain temperatures in the 50s. A weakening cold front will swing through the region late Thursday, and 4 to 6 inches of accumulation is forecast for Thursday night and Friday at upper elevations. A cool and moist westerly flow will develop for the weekend. Check out the Logan Mountain Weather page...
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| general annoucements 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. |