Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Toby Weed for Saturday - April 8, 2017 - 6:44am
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MODERATE: Several inches of heavy new snow fell overnight in the Bear River Range, and heightened avalanche conditions exist. Wet loose avalanches entraining saturated fresh snow are likely on steep mid and upper elevation slopes. Triggered storm slab, wind slab and cornice-fall avalanches are possible at upper elevations. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.




special announcement

UAC Gear Sale Fundraiser: We still have some donated gear and certificates left over from the season. Want a guided rock climbing or canyoneering trip in Moab? How about a new pair of skis for some spring ski missions? Check out our gear sale photo album to see if we have what you need. This is a fundraising sale for the Utah Avalanche Center. All proceeds benefit avalanche forecasting and education. Click here to visit the sale!

current conditions

The Tony Grove Snotel ​reports 31 °F and 8 inches of heavy new snow overnight. There's 107" of total snow, with 150% of average SWE (Snow Water Equivalent)​ at 8400'. A 18 mph southwest wind is blowing and it's 26 °F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station. Snow and wind from a powerful Pacific storm creating heightened avalanche conditions in the backcountry.



recent activity

Other than expected and minor wet loose activity, no backcountry avalanches were reported in the Logan Zone in the last week.

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 8 hours
description

Wet loose avalanches involving moist fresh snow are possible on steep slopes at upper and mid elevations.

  • 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 fresh surface snow is saturated.
  • Isolated glide and wet slab avalanches can occur at any time, but are most likely in the heat of the day
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

Shallow storm and wind slab avalanches are possible at upper elevations. Check the bonding between the cold new and old warmer snow. Avoid fresh drifts, which formed overnight on the lee side of ridges and in and around terrain features.

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

Avoid being on or below large ridge-top cornices.

  • Overhanging cornices can break further back than expected and trigger avalanches on slopes below.
  • Spring warmth is causing large cornices to naturally buckle and calve.
  • Cornice falls are possible anytime, but are most likely during the heat of the day.

Large ridge-top cornices in the Logan Zone are buckling and calving during the Spring meltdown. C.Titensor 4/5/17


weather

A cold upper level trough will advance east across the Great Basin this weekend. A warming trend and drier west to southwest flow is expected for the first half of next week. Thunder showers are possible today and 8500' temperatures will fall to 30 °F this morning. 3 to 5 inches of snow is possible during the day, with 15 to 20 mph west-southwest wind. Snow showers will continue tonight and some thunder is possible. Expect a low temperature of 16 °F, 17 to 21 mph west wind, and 5 to 9 inches of snow possible. Snow showers may continue tomorrow morning, with 1 to 3 inches possible. It'll be mostly cloudy, a high temperature of 28 °F and 14 to 24 mph west northwest wind, gusting to 38 mph.

general announcements

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.

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.