Drifting by increasing winds from the south-southwest created small but hard wind slabs on the lee sides of major ridges and in and around upper elevation terrain features. The snow in select high shady terrain might still be in decent condition this morning, but powder riding options are quite limited today. We'll find surface crusts of differing thicknesses on most slopes this morning, but once the sun climbs high enough, its sharp March angle will soften the crusts. Increasing winds from the south-southwest should help keep the snow surface cool, but increasing cloud cover may trap the heat in sheltered terrain. As the snow becomes saturated, heightened avalanche conditions could develop in some areas.
Low elevation terrain facing the south half of the compass melted off and is bare of snow or has only very shallow snow cover.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 32° F, with 90 inches of total snow. It's 30° F at the Card Canyon weather station with 67 inches of total snow. At 9700 feet at CSI's Logan Peak Wx station, increasing winds are blowing 29 to 37 mph from the south-southwest, and it's 25° F. On Paris Peak at 9500 feet, it's also 25° F, with winds blowing 12 to 23 mph from the south-southwest.
Expect increasing clouds today, with high temperatures at 8500 feet near 40° F. Increasing winds from the south-southwest will blow 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low temperature around 30° F. Winds will continue to increase from the south-southwest, blowing 21 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Snowfall will commence in the early morning hours. A strong winter storm with increasing winds from the south-southwest will impact the Logan Zone and elevate the avalanche danger tomorrow. Temperatures will be warm, around 35° F. Snow will be heavy at times, and it will be drifted by strong winds from the south-southwest, with 6 to 10 inches of accumulation in favored locations possible by evening. Another 3 to 5 inches is possible with drifting by west winds on Thursday night.
We are very sad to report a fatal avalanche accident occurred on Friday, March 7 in the Western Uinta Mountains near Kamas. Preliminary accident report is
HERE
-Large and small natural wet avalanches were reported and observed in sunny terrain at all elevations across the Logan Zone over the weekend. Wet activity tapered off early this week as the snow is adjusting to the heat.
Read about all avalanches and observations
HERE.