Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Toby Weed for Monday - February 22, 2016 - 6:44am
bottom line

LOW (level 1): In most areas across the Logan Zone this morning the snow stability is good and avalanches are generally unlikely. Drifting from easterly winds this morning will probably create areas with heightened avalanche conditions at upper elevations. Dangerous persistent or deep slab avalanches are unlikely yet remain possible in drifted outlying or isolated terrain with thin snow cover and poor snow structure. Use normal caution, evaluate the snow and terrain carefully at upper elevations this afternoon, and avoid fresh wind drifts on steep slopes.




special announcement

We are offering an Avalanche Awareness for Snowmobilers Course on February 25 & 27. For more information and to register go..... HERE

current conditions

The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 26 degrees and there's 77 inches of total snow containing 100% of average water for the date. I'm reading 19 degrees at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and northwest winds averaging 15 mph this morning. Snow stability is generally good in the backcountry this morning, the overall danger is low, and avalanches are unlikely. A weather disturbance crossing through the region today will bring some snow, and perhaps a bit of thunder, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation forecast. Northwest winds will cause a bit of drifting, and heightened wind slab conditions will probably develop on some upper elevation slopes by mid afternoon.

Calm conditions in Cache Valley. Naomi Peak above the Little Bear River (2-19-16)


recent activity
  • On Friday local riders reported a few fresh natural wind slab avalanches involving drifted new snow on the east face of Providence Peak in upper Providence Canyon.
  • Rain saturated the snow and large natural wet avalanches occurred overnight and during the day Monday (2-15-16), and continued for several warm days in Logan Canyon and at lower and mid elevations across the zone. Video Report

  • ***To view our updated list of backcountry observations and avalanche activity from around Utah, go to our observations page

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

Low danger does not mean No danger, and unlikely implies that avalanches are still possible. There are several types of avalanche problems you may run into today. Most of these are of the manageable variety and probably do not pose much threat, but "use normal caution" suggests that you still evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, carry and know how to use all the proper avalanche rescue equipment, and continue to practice wise backcountry travel protocols.

  • If more than expected snow falls with today's quick hitting storm, soft slabs and sluffs involving the new snow could become possible.
  • Drifting of today's fresh snow will likely create heightened wind slab conditions at upper elevations.
  • If the sun pops out for a time during the day, solar warming could cause a danger of loose wet avalanches entaining fresh snow.
  • It's been a couple weeks now since the last reported persistent or deep slab avalanche involving older snow in the Logan Zone, but there may be a few rogue drifted slopes in outlying areas out there where you might trigger a dangerous avalanche. Be cautious where the snowpack is shallow or thin and the basal snow is weak.

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

2-23-16 AM update: A bump in east winds this morning may drift snow into rather unexpected areas, and there are probably areas at upper elevations with heightened wind slab conditions. The fresh wind slabs will probably be rather soft and manageable in nature, but you should be wary and especially cautious on steep slopes above trees or other terrain traps.

  • Watch for and avoid fresh drifts on the lee sides of ridges, cross-loaded along sub-ridges, and in and around terrain features like rock outcroppings, gullies, scoops, trees, and saddles.
  • Beware the growing and overhanging ridge-top cornices, which could break further back than you expect and might trigger wind slab avalanches on drifted slopes below.

weather

A Pacific disturbance moving through the region will bring snow and a chance of thunder today. Expect 8500' high temperatures around 28 degrees and northwest winds in the 15 to 20 mph range. 1 to 3 inches of accumulation is expected by evening. Snow showers will continue tonight, with an additional 1 or 2 inches of snowfall likely, continuing northwest wind and temperatures falling to around 14 degrees. Snow showers are possible tomorrow, but little is expected in the way of accumulations, then mostly sunny conditions will develop, with a high temperature around 27 degrees, and moderate north-northwest wind. High pressure conditions will build into the region midweek...

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. 

We'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. 


 

Backcountry Responsibility Objective from Trent Meisenheimer on Vimeo.