Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Toby Weed for Sunday - April 16, 2017 - 7:02am
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Warm temperatures today will cause the avalanche danger to rise to MODERATE on steep sunny slopes. Heightened wet avalanche conditions will develop as surface snow softens and is saturated by midday heat. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
special announcement

Great news… so far there haven’t been any avalanche fatalities in Utah this winter! It has been 26 years since we’ve had a fatality-free winter. Let’s keep it that way and stay safe this spring. Our goal is for everyone to enjoy the Greatest Snow on Earth and come home safe every day. The final regular advisory will be this Sunday, April 16. For the rest of the month we'll issue updates when conditions change significantly; however, we will discontinue issuing regular advisories and avalanche danger ratings after Sunday.
current conditions

The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' ​reports 30 °F and 99" of total snow, with 154% of average SWE (Snow Water Equivalent)​. A 15 mph southwest wind is blowing and it's 27 °F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station. High angled spring sun will quickly soften the snow surface, and heightened wet avalanche conditions will develop in sunny terrain due to wamth.


Yesterday was a good day for spring snow conditions in the Wellsville Mountain Wilderness.
recent activity
  • Expected wet loose avalanches, involving fresh surface snow, were common in the zone during the warm weather earlier in the week.
  • A large, loose wet snow avalanche occurred Tuesday or Wednesday on a 9000' east facing slope north of the state line on Wilderness Peak in Franklin Basin.
  • Yesterday, a skier triggered and was caught and carried by at wet slab avalanche on a steep east facing slope in the backcountry above Park City. details HERE
Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 12 hours
description

As you travel in the mountains, keep a few things in mind:

  • Avoid being on or below large ridge-top cornices. Overhanging cornices can break further back than expected and trigger avalanches on slopes below. Cornice falls are possible anytime, but are most likely during the heat of the day.
  • Cold temperatures, hard snow and icy surfaces will cause potential "slide for life" conditions on steep slopes. Consider using crampons and an ice ax for mountaineering objectives.
  • Continue to use safe travel protocols as you travel through avalanche terrain. One person at a time is the rule. Watch your partner from a safe spot. Everyone should have a beacon, shovel and probe and know how to use them.
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

Springtime snow is generally predictable. When surface snow is softened by sun and/or seasonal warmth, wet avalanches are possible in steep terrain. Softening occurs much faster and deeper when nighttime temperatures stay above freezing.

  • Avoid steep slopes where the surface snow is saturated or showing signs of instability like roller balls, pinwheels, and natural sluffs under trees or rock outcroppings.
weather

A warm southwest flow today will be followed by unsettled weather in the upcoming week. A weak weather disturbance will impact far northern Utah Monday. Stronger storms are expected Tuesday and again Thursday. Today will be partly cloudy, a high temperature at 8500' of 49 °F and 5 to 8 mph south-southwest wind. There is a chance of rain and snow showers late tonight. It'll be mostly cloudy, a low temperature of 37 °F and 15 to 20 mph south-southwest wind. There's a good chance of snow showers on Monday. It'll be cloudy, a high temperature of 44 °F and 16 to 21 mph west-southwest wind.

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

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.