Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Toby Weed for Wednesday - March 22, 2017 - 7:13am
bottom line

Below freezing temperatures tonight will slow the melt and begin to stabilize saturated snow. Heightened wet avalanche conditions exist today on steep slopes in the backcountry. Cornice-fall, loose wet, wet slab, and glide avalanches are possible, most likely during the heat of the day. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Stay off of and out from under large cornices, glide cracks, and steep slopes with warmth-softened wet snow.




special announcement

Discount lift tickets for Beaver Mountain, Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, and the Central Wasatch resorts are donated by the resorts to benefit the Utah Avalanche Center. Details and order information here.

current conditions

Temperatures stayed well above freezing last night at most stations and rain and a little heavy snow fell in the mountains. The Tony Grove Snotel ​at 8400' reports 35 °F and 99" of total snow, with 145% of average SWE (Snow Water Equivalent)​. A 15 mph southwest wind is blowing at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station and it's 30 °F. A couple inches of snow is possible and temperatures will drop below freezing tonight, but today heightened wet avalanche conditions exist in steep terrain.
recent activity

A large cornice fall avalanche Sunday on Cornice Ridge could have been human triggered. The cornice "thundered" as it collapsed and ran down the bowl below.

Extrordinarily large cornices are unstable due to several days of unseasonably warm weather.

Yesterday we could see recent large wet avalanches off Mitton Peak, Rattlesnake Canyon, in the Wrellsville Mountain Wilderness.... Cornice fall triggered wet slabs up high. Then below, overrunning snow pulled out a glide avalanche to the rocks.
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

Triggered and natural loose wet avalanches are possible on steep slopes.

  • Watch for signs of wet instability like roller balls, pinwheels and natural sluffs under trees or rock outcroppings.
  • Avoid being on or under steep slopes if wet snow is soft and unsupportable.
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

Glide and wet slab avalanches avalanches are possible.


Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description
  • Very warm temperatures will cause cornices to buckle and calve naturally. Large natural cornice falls are most likely during the heat of the day, but possible anytime.
  • Huge, overhanging cornices can break further back than expected and trigger avalanches on slopes below.
weather

(from the NWS): A strong and significantly colder Pacific storm system will move east across the Great Basin through Thursday, followed by a return of high pressure for the end of the work week.

Weather Forecast: Tony Grove Lake (41.897,-111.6535), Elevation: 8800'
Today: Rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. High near 45. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tonight: Rain and snow showers, becoming all snow after 7pm. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 30. Light and variable wind becoming north northwest 6 to 11 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Thursday: Snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. High near 32. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

general announcements

Do you buy groceries at Smiths? When you register your Smith’s rewards card with their Community Rewards program, they will donate to the Utah Avalanche Center whenever you make a purchase. It's easy, only takes a minute, and doesn't cost you anything. Details here.

If you sign up for AmazonSmile and designate the Utah Avalanche Center as your favorite charity, they will donate a portion of everything you spend to the UAC. It doesn't cost you a penny and we'd really appreciate the help.

Your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations. You can call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include @utavy in your Instagram. In the Logan Area you can reach me at 435-757-7578

We will update this advisory regularly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings by about 7:30.

This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist.