Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Mark Staples for Saturday - November 28, 2015 - 6:31am
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Watch for fresh wind slabs in unusual places from recent east winds where heightened avalanche conditions exist. Avalanches are unlikely on slopes that were either scoured or unaffected by the wind.




special announcement

Join us for a free avalanche awareness talk with the USU Outdoor Recreation Program at 7:00 on December 1..... USU ORP classes

Don't miss the 12th annual Utah Avalanche Center in Logan's "Pray for Snow" party and fundraiser, the evening of December 3, again at the Italian Place in Downtown Logan.. For info and tickets go ............HERE

current conditions

Temperatures remain cold this morning around 8 degrees F. Overnight strong east winds continued blowing 20-40 mph. This morning they calmed to 9 mph and shifted to the NW. Snow appears to be falling this morning with an inch at best as of 0600. Many slopes are likely scoured by the last two days of strong east winds. Other slopes that normally don't receive wind blown snow probably have top loading or cross loading. The problem is that wind slabs rest on weak faceted snow. Check out the loose faceted snow at the surface near the end of this video.


Words of warning: Very shallow, early season conditions exist, and you are still likely to hit rocks or woody debris in most areas. The Tony Grove Road is not maintained in the winter for wheeled vehicles, and road conditions are icy, snowy, drifted-in and treacherous, so come prepared. The upper section of the road and the loop at the lake were impassible over the weekend. The Tony Grove Area is a shared use area and very popular in the early season, so please watch your speed, use patience, and be respectful of other users. For easier access, Beaver Mt. allows uphill travel and appreciates early season users packing down the weak snow. Remember while the lifts are closed, the area is considered backcountry .


It's time to dust off and check the condition of your avalanche rescue equipment. Review and practice Companion Avalanche Rescue with our video..........HERE****


recent activity

Last weekend there were at least 10 avalanches near Tony Grove that broke on facets at the ground following a storm last week containing around 2.5 inches of water. Some slides were naturally triggered, one was remotely triggered, and one occurred sympathetically. No avalanches have been reported since Wednesday's snow and recent strong winds; however, a recent slide triggered near SLC is a good example of what I'd expect today in the Logan area (photo below): fresh wind slabs resting on facets.

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

I am uncertain how widespread fresh wind slabs are today. However, we know that there was 6-10 inches of new snow that fell on Wednesday (3 days ago) and strong east winds have been blowing for the last two days. Strong east winds continued overnight. We also know that the snow surface earlier this week had become very weak and faceted.

With what we know, I'm confident that you could trigger small avalanches on wind loaded slopes. Avalanches are unlikely on scoured slopes or ones unaffected by the wind. The exact distribution of these conditions is unclear but should be easy to spot unless much snow falls today and covers these wind slabs with a few inches of snow. If this occurs, watch for any slope where the snow feel stiff and supportable underfoot.

weather

An upper level area of low pressure continues to sit over Utah and produce snow this morning. Today 2-3 inches of snow should fall and temperatures should only rise into the mid teens F. Winds calmed this morning and shifted to the northwest. They should rotate around the western half of the compass today and remain relatively light.

general announcements

Please submit snow and avalanche observations from your ventures in the backcountry HERE. You can call us at 801-524-5304 or email HERE, or include #utavy in your Instagram or Tweet us @UAClogan. To report avalanche activity in the Logan Area or to contact the local avalanche forecaster call me, Toby, at 435-757-7578. 

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.