Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Toby Weed for Monday - November 20, 2017 - 7:01am
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MODERATE: Heightened avalanche conditions exist at upper elevations, and dangerous human triggered avalanches up to about 2' deep are possible on steep drifted slopes. A ride in even a small avalanche could be particularly dangerous due to potential for being raked through rocks or deadfall below. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, and continue to avoid steep drifted slopes at upper elevations.




special avalanche bulletin

Please join us for our 14 annual "Pray for Snow" fundraiser/party, Thursday, December 7 at 6 PM. This year's new location is at the new Cache Venue, 119 South Main St in downtown Logan. Go HERE for advance tickets and more information.

current conditions

The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 33°F this morning and 24" of total snow containing 157% of average SWE (Snow Water Equivalent). After a bit of rain on Thursday night, the station picked up 16" of new snow on Friday... This morning, winds are out of the southwest, with CSI Logan Peak showing hourly average wind speeds of around 30 mph, with a gust of 45 mph early this morning.

Shallow, early season snow conditions exist, and hitting rocks or down and dead wood presents a significant hazard. Travel cautiously and keep your speed down. The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for wheeled travel in the winter, so if you venture up, have all the needed gear, be patient and be ready to dig.


Good coverage in the Central Bear River Range, but south and southwest winds are taking toll on the nice powder.


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

Upper elevation slopes in the Bear River Range picked up significant heavy snow with sustained winds on Friday. Heightened avalanche conditions exist and triggered persistent slab avalanches are possible on drifted upper elevation slopes with weak preexisting snow. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche at the highest elevations where deep drifts formed and pockets of old faceted snow from September are holding out.

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

Drifting snow from increasing southwest wind this morning is creating heightened danger of wind slab avalanches in exposed upper elevation terrain. Watch for and avoid drifts forming near ridges and in and around terrain features like rock outcrops, sub-ridges, scoops, and gullies. Stiff wind slabs have the nasty tendency to wait till you get out on them before releasing.

weather

A weak weather disturbance will graze northern Utah today, followed by fair weather and an even stronger high pressure aloft returning midweek. Today snow is likely in the afternoon, with 1 to 3 inches possible. Expect high temperatures at 8500' around 36°F​, with west-southwest wind 15-20 mph. Another inch of accumulation is possible tonight, with temperatures rising to around 35°F​ by 11:00pm and 17 mph west wind. Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature around 40°F​ and 10 to 15 mph west wind. A high pressure system will control the weather through the remained of the week.





general announcements

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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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 occur.