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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Friday morning, January 17, 2025
The snow is stable, and the avalanche danger is LOW across the Logan Zone this morning. However, a quick-hitting storm with new snow and drifting today will likely elevate the danger to MODERATE on upper elevation slopes steeper than 30°. Later today, people could trigger small avalanches of wind-drifted new snow. Isolated deep slab avalanches, breaking 2 to 4 feet deep on a persistent weak layer, are unlikely, yet the consequences could be devastating.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and continue to practice safe travel protocols by only exposing one person at a time to avalanche risk.
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Weather and Snow
The avalanche danger is LOW on most slopes this morning, but a passing cold front today could elevate avalanche conditions a bit up high. Several inches of new snow could accumulate in upper elevation terrain today, and it will be easily drifted by winds from the west. Later today, people could trigger small avalanches of wind-drifted fresh snow at upper elevations near ridgelines and in or around terrain features. We've observed increasing snow stability in the first weeks of 2025, and dangerous avalanches breaking on the sugary, persistent weak layer near the ground are increasingly unlikely. Even so, potential deep hard slab avalanches could be devastating, and we are still leery of slopes with poor snow structure facing the north half of the compass.
Nice, fast, shallow powder riding conditions can be found on many slopes across the Logan Zone. The snow near the surface is becoming recrystallized with recent clear nights and cold temperatures, and the settled powder is especially nice in sheltered northerly terrain and on lower-angled slopes.
-The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 27° F, with 58 inches of total snow, (101% of normal SWE for the date).
-Winds blowing from the west-northwest are increasing this morning at 9700 feet. At the CSI weather station on Logan Peak, the wind is blowing 27 mph with gusts of 40 mph, and it's 17° F.
-It's 20° F at 8800 feet at our Card Canyon station, with 42.5 inches of total snow.
-On Paris Peak at 9500 feet in Bloomington Canyon, it is 24° F, and the winds are blowing from the south-southwest 19 to 23 mph.
Snow is likely today in the Bear River Range, with 3 to 5 inches of accumulation possible, mainly between 8 am and 5 pm. High temperatures at 8500 feet are expected to be around 22° F, with winds from the west 10 to 17 mph with much higher gusts. Wind chill values will be as low as zero. Very cold temperatures are expected in the wake of today's dry cold front, and they will become well-established during the Martin Luther King Day weekend. A couple more inches may accumulate tonight and early tomorrow, and high temperatures in the mountains tomorrow will be around 12°F, with wind chill values as low as -10° F. Cold, clear, and dry weather is expected in the mountains through most of next week. Nighttime temperatures well below 0° F are expected, with daytime highs in the mountains in the low teens and single digits.
For more information, visit the UAC weather page here: Weather - Utah Avalanche Center
For Logan-specific weather, go here: Logan Mountain Weather - Utah Avalanche Center
Recent Avalanches
  • A natural wind slab avalanche that probably occurred last weekend was observed Wednesday evening on the north face of Providence Peak.
  • Read about all avalanches and observations in the Logan Zone HERE.
  • Remember, the information you share about avalanches you see or trigger could save lives.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Later today, people might trigger small avalanches of wind-drifted snow. Drifting today will build shallow wind slabs of new snow in exposed upper-elevation terrain, and some of these could be quite sensitive and easy for a person to trigger.
  • Avalanches of wind-drifted snow are most likely on the lee side of major ridges, especially on slopes capped by cornices.
  • Fresh wind slabs may be found in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, gullies, and scoops.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Dangerous hard slab avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer buried 2 to 4 feet deep are unlikely but remain possible in isolated or outlying terrain with poor snow structure. Weak faceted snow exists near the ground on almost all northerly-facing slopes at upper elevations. While the snow is becoming more stable, the buried, sugary, persistent weak layer near the ground is still a potential problem.
  • Rocky windswept slopes with thin snow cover are the most suspect.
  • Isolated avalanches might be triggered remotely (from a distance) or from below.
Additional Information
Observers Tuesday evening found a sizable pile of debris from a recent natural avalanche that occurred on the north face of Providence Peak. The avalanche of wind-drifted snow may have failed on a buried, persistent weak layer.
General Announcements
-National Forest Winter Recreation Travel Maps show where it's open to ride: UWCNF Logan, Ogden LRD Tony Grove, Franklin Basin CTNF Montpelier
-For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.
-Remember the information you provide could save lives, especially if you see or trigger an avalanche. To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE.
-Receive forecast region-specific text message alerts to receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings. Sign up and update your preferences HERE.
This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions, and local variations always occur.
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