Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Logan Area Mountains Issued by Paige Pagnucco for Saturday - March 31, 2018 - 6:11am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is low this morning but may rise to MODERATE with daytime heating. Wet avalanches will be possible in the heat of the day.

  • Practice safe travel protocols and carry avalanche rescue equipment.
  • Avoid treacherous ridge top cornices and slopes with saturated snow.

I will update this advisory by 7:30 Monday morning, 4/2/18.




special announcement

The newest issue of the Powder Cloud, the newsletter of the Utah Avalanche Center is hot off the presses. You can always grab a cup of coffee and while away the time by looking at new and old issues of the Powder Cloud, other essays, and blogs. Look for them in the menu above or click here.

The UAC Marketplace is still open. Our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.
current conditions

Due to sunshine and warm temperatures, last weeks powder snow is all but gone except on sheltered, shaded, due north high elevation slopes. You'll find supportable conditions across the zone though triggered cornice falls are still possible today and warming temperatures will create a rising danger of wet avalanches.

  • The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 36°F, and there's 69 inches of total snow, with 83% of normal SWE.
  • The UDOT weather station at Hwy 89 Logan Summit reports 39°F, with west northwest winds blowing 10-20 mph.
recent activity

There have been no avalanches reported recently.

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

Mountain temperatures last night did not get below freezing which, at this time of year, is critical to solidifying the snowpack. Moderate westerly winds and cloud cover should help keep wet activity somewhat in check today BUT, as is typical with springtime conditions, the danger of loose wet avalanches, wet slabs, and triggered push-alanches will rise as temperatures warm. When the snow becomes saturated and/or you start seeing signs of instability like rollerballs, it is time to find lower angle and/or shadier terrain.

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

Remember that risk is inherent in mountain travel:

  • Always carry avalanche rescue equipment
  • Practice safe travel protocols by only exposing one person at a time
  • Be mindful of changing conditions throughout the day and adjust your travel plan accordingly
  • Stay well back from the edge of sagging cornices as they can break back further than you expect

Though this skier-triggered cornice break is near Jackson, WY, it clearly demonstrates the harsh consequences of getting too close to the edge. (The unlucky skier fell 1000' vertical and remains in critical condition.)
weather

It'll be a bit warmer today in the mountains with temps nearing 42 F. A small disturbance will pass through bringing with it cloud cover, moderate westerly winds, and a small chance for snow. Little accumulation is expected. Sunday looks to be sunny, warm, and windy as another small system moves into the area on Sunday night/Monday with slightly cooler temps, strong winds, and a chance for a few inches of snow.

Today: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. West wind 14 to 21 mph.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. West northwest wind around 17 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 15 to 22 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 22 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Windy, with a west wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
general announcements

We have lift tickets for Snowbasin and Powder Mountain remaining. The tickets are discounted an additional 20%. Details and order information here. All proceeds from these go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education!

Episode 7 of the UAC Podcast "Mastery and False Mastery - An Interview with 'Big' Don Sharaf" is live. With a snow career spanning over 30 years, Don has enough mileage in the mountains to have learned a thing or two, including the profound value of humility when staring into the face of the dragon. Listen in on our conversation about the idea of mastery and if such a thing can exist in the avalanche world. Check it out on ​the UAC blog, ITunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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.