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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Saturday morning, January 29, 2022
The snow is stable, the avalanche danger LOW, and avalanches are unlikely in the backcountry. Although unlikely, shallow loose wet avalanches are possible in the heat of the day in sheltered sunny terrain.
  • Use normal caution.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
Thanks to the generous support of our local resorts and Ski Utah, discount lift tickets are now available. Support the UAC while you ski at the resorts this season. Tickets are available HERE
Special Thanks to Polaris and Northstar (in Preston and Logan).
Weather and Snow
The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports a toasty 28°F, and there is 69 inches of total snow containing about 120% of normal SWE for the date. Winds out of the west are blowing around 20 mph this morning at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station.
Expect sunny skies and fair weather in the mountains today, with 8500' high temperatures near 32°F and fairly light west-southwest winds. Tonight will be mostly clear in the mountains again, with temperatures dropping to around 12°F. High pressure will remain over the area through the weekend with slightly warmer temperatures and clear skies. There's potential for a few snowflakes on Monday and again late Tuesday, but the forecast looks a bit bleak for much powder in the upcoming week.
A few inches of fresh snow has really helped conditions in the backcountry. Call it dust-on-crust or shallow powder, but you'll find freshened and softened surface conditions on a solid supportable base and generally stable snow across the Logan Zone these days. We've been finding the best riding conditions on lower-angled slopes in sheltered, shaded terrain.
Water-wise we are still above average at this point of the year. Despite the lack of storms in January, the snowfall in late Dec and early Jan really gave our zone a solid base. Let's hope the trajectory continues upward.
Recent Avalanches
No avalanches were reported recently in the Logan Zone.
Check HERE for all the latest observations and avalanche activity.
Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Remember that LOW avalanche danger doesn't mean NO avalanche danger. People still might trigger avalanches in extreme or isolated very steep backcountry terrain. Continue to practice safe travel protocols. Only expose one person at a time in avalanche terrain.
  • Shallow loose wet avalanches may become possible midday in steep, sunny terrain with sun-softened snow. Solar heating could soften the snow surface in steep, sheltered terrain and around rocky areas or cliff bands. Even a small avalanche could sweep you down a steep slope, so be aware of trees or other terrain traps below if you travel in steep terrain.
    There are many other hazards in mountain travel that may be more of a concern than avalanche danger today.
  • The fresh snow was scoured off of many upper elevation slopes and the remaining surface snow is hard and slick - a person could easily slip, fall, and slide out of control rapidly down a steep slope. In some areas you may need crampons to get a grip and an ice axe to self arrest if you fall.
  • Crusty snow under the fresh powder could grab a ski and send you "head over tea kettle."
Additional Information
  • Always follow safe backcountry travel protocols. Go one person at a time in avalanche terrain, (anytime while traveling on or under backcountry slopes steeper than 30°) while the rest of your party watches from a safe area.
  • Check your avalanche rescue equipment, change your batteries, and practice often with your backcountry partners.
    Check slope angles, and to avoid avalanches stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30° and adjacent slopes. Video Here
General Announcements
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
  • Check out all the upcoming education classes and clinics HERE.
  • Please submit your observations from the backcountry HERE.
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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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