Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Toby Weed for Friday - December 4, 2015 - 7:23am
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MODERATE (level 2) Heightened avalanche conditions exist and wind slab avalanches are possible in steep drifted terrain at upper elevations. In some very steep terrain you might trigger avalanches releasing to the ground on very weak sugary or faceted snow.




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current conditions

South winds picked up overnight, posting hourly average wind speeds in the upper thirties at the CSI Logan Peak weather station, and it's currently 27 degrees at 9700'. It's a balmy 36 degrees at the 8400' Tony Grove SNOTEL and there's 20 inches of total snow on the ground containing 66% of average water content for the date. With the widespread thin snow cover you'll probably want to stick to the roads, meadows, and smooth low angled terrain this weekend.

Shallow, very weak snow in the Steep Hollow Area will probably create dangerous avalanche conditions once significant snow stacks up on it. (12-3-2015)

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 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

No avalanches were reported locally since November 20, when we picked up a foot of heavy snow containing 2.5 inches of water and several natural avalanches occurred, as well as one above the Tony Grove Campground, remote triggered by a skier which sympathetically released an adjacent pocket.

I could see evidence of some recent loose facet sluff activity in the Steep Hollow Area from earlier in the week. (12-3-2015)
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

Strong and sustained south winds overnight drifted old snow into lee avalanche starting zones at upper elevations... I don't expect extensive drifting occurred since there has not been any new snow this week, but stiff fresh wind slabs likely formed in common deposition areas.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Hard wind slabs formed in somewhat unusual places with the very strong and sustained east winds around Thanksgiving, and these are now crumbly and badly weakened by the faceting process. The old hard slabs are relaxed and no longer very sensitive and most no longer support your weight, but some in more extreme terrain may be like large mouse traps and may wait until you get well out on them before releasing on weak snow near the ground.

weather

Snow is a good bet this afternoon, and it'll be mostly cloudy with southwest winds and a high temperature at 8500' around 33 degrees. Little accumulation is expected. Snow is likely tonight with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible, northwest winds in the teens, and temperatures around 19 degrees. Looks like high pressure conditions will redevelop over the weekend. We'll see unsettled conditions next week with the storm track generally to our north, but optimists are seeing some signs for hope towards the end of next week.
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. 

I'll update this advisory throughout the season on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings by about 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.