Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Toby Weed for Friday - March 16, 2018 - 7:24am
bottom line

There is MODERATE danger in the backcountry. Heightened avalanche conditions exist, and human triggered avalanches are possible.

  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.




current conditions

Temperatures dropped well below freezing at all stations overnight, and a a few more inches of snow fell in the mountains. Heightened avalanche conditions exist, with human triggered storm snow and shallow wind slab avalanches possible at upper elevations, loose wet sluffs becomming more likely in sunny terrain during the heat of the day, and more dangerous persistent slab avalanches unlikely yet possible in isolated areas with shallow weak snow.

  • The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports a few inches of new snow overnight, with 0.4" SWE in the last 24 hrs. It's 20°F, and there's 70 inches of total snow, with 85% of normal SWE.
  • Beaver Mt reports 2" in the last 24 hrs.
  • It's 15°F at James Peak weather station this morning, and there's a 10 mph southwest wind.
recent activity

Wednesday, I found what looks a recent natural avalanche off Providence Peak in 3 Terraces Bowl. The 2' deep. 100' wide persistent slab avalanche was a few days old. It appears to have been naturally triggered by cornice fall.

Dangerous avalanche conditions persist in the Central Utah mountains, as confirmed yesterday by UAC staff on the Manti Skyline....

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

Shallow wind slabs, soft slabs, and loose avalanches involving storm snow are possible in steep terrain at upper elevations. This afternoon and tonight, increasing south southwest wind will drift the fresh snow in exposed terrain, and cause a rising danger of wind slab avalanches and cornice falls.

  • Avoid drifted snow in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gullies, and cliff bands.
  • Stay well clear of ridge-top cornices, which often break further back than expected and can trigger avalanches on steep slopes below.
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

Heightened persistent slab avalanche conditions exist in areas with shallow snow and poor snow structure. Colder temperatures are helping, but some areas with shallow snow cover have very poor snow structure. I've found suspect conditions on steep forested slopes, rocky terrain, and outlying or rarely visited areas.
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

Cooler temperatures will help, but the fresh snow is already saturated in some areas, and high angled spring sun will rapidly warm it up. Small natural and triggered loose wet avalanches are possible on sunny slopes at lower and mid elevations.

  • Roller balls, pinwheels, and natural sluffs indicate possible loose wet activity
  • Move off and out from under steep slopes if the surface snow gets slushy or sticky.
weather

The broad area of high pressure aloft across the western states will generate a warming trend across Utah through the end of the week.

  • Today: A 20 percent chance of snow showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. South southwest wind 9 to 11 mph.
  • Tonight: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
  • Saturday: Snow. High near 29. Breezy, with a south wind 21 to 26 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
general announcements

We have discount lift tickets for Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, Snowbasin,and Beaver Mountain. Details and order information here. All proceeds from your purchase go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education.​

Episode 6 of the UAC podcast "A Conversation with Tom Kimbrough, Hemingway of the Wasatch" is live. We explore ideas about lifetime exposure to risk and what role Buddhism has played in his life as a climber, skier, and soon-to-be octogenarian. We talk about what has changed over the years in snow science and the role of mentorship in the world of avalanche forecasting and other professions and pursuits. Check it out on ITunes, Stitcher, the UAC blog.

The UAC Marketplace is online. The holiday auction is closed, but our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.

The UAC has new support programs with Outdoor Research and Darn Tough. Support the UAC through your daily shopping. When you shop at Smith's, or online at Outdoor Research, REI, Backcountry.com, Darn Tough, Patagonia, NRS, Amazon, eBay a portion of your purchase will be donated to the FUAC. See our Donate Page for more details on how you can support the UAC when you shop.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on eBay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your eBay account here and click on eBay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny Check it out on ITunes, Stitcher, the UAC blog, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Now is a great time to practice companion rescue techniques with your backcountry partners. Here's our rescue practice video.

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Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your Instagram.

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.