Check out our Holiday Auction
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Trent Meisenheimer
Issued by Trent Meisenheimer on
Friday morning, December 30, 2022
Today the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on all mid and upper-elevation steep slopes for triggering an avalanche 1-4 feet deep on a persistent weak layer. We also have a CONSIDERABLE danger of avalanches involving soft slabs of new snow or wind-drifted snow. Dangerous human-triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible.
  • We plan to continue to stay off and out from under backcountry slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
  • Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision-making are essential for safe backcountry travel.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Avalanche Watch
What: The avalanche danger is expected to be HIGH.
When: In effect from 6 am MST this morning to 6 am MST Saturday
Where: For the Bear River Range of southeast Idaho
Impacts: Very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected as a series of storms will arrive this weekend with significant snowfall, substantial water amounts, and very strong winds. Both human-triggered and natural avalanches will become likely. Stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
Warning Times: Friday, December 30, 2022 - 6:00 am to Saturday, December 31, 2022 - 6:00 am
Weather and Snow
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Northern Utah. This storm will start this morning with significant westerly winds and heavy snowfall. By Sunday, we could see snow totals upward of 24-36 inches of new snow (2.0-3.0" of water). Warm air advection on Saturday will lead to inverted snow with the possibility of rain to about 7500'.
This morning under mostly cloudy skies, the mountain temperatures range from 12-21 °F across the landscape. In some areas of the Logan Mountains, it's already snowing. Winds have picked up and are blowing southwest at speeds of 20-25 mph, gusting into the 30s on Logan Peak.
For today we can expect the west-southwest winds to continue blowing at speeds of 15-30 mph and strengthen as the day wears on. Snowfall should begin to fill into the area by about noon today, and we could see 2-5 inches of new snow by sundown.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday a backcountry observer noticed a large and destructive avalanche in White Pine Canyon. The avalanche was on a north-facing slope at 8,800' in elevation and was 3 feet deep and 150 feet wide, running to the valley floor.
Be sure to check out all observations HERE.
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Persistent weak layers that formed back in November continue to plague many slopes. This weak layer is now buried 1-4 deep, and any avalanche that fails to this layer will likely be hundreds of feet wide and would likely be unsurvivable.
As we continue to load this weak layer today and through the weekend with heavy new storm snow (weight) I would give it the respect it deserves by avoiding slopes steeper than 30°. I would also avoid being below steep slopes as avalanches can run long distances.
The good news is the meadows, and low-angle trees have excellent riding conditions, and there's no need to be on steep slopes to have fun.
Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
As the storm begins this morning we should be thinking about new snow avalanches. Even though snowfall rates don't pick up until early evening, I would keep an eye out as the storm snow could become reactive during any period of heavier precipitation intensity. Cracking within the new snow is a tale tale sign of unstable snow.
At elevations below about 7,500', you will find roughly 6 inches of low density snow on top of a very hard and slick rain crust. Once we stack heavy snow on top of this layering, we could see dangerous avalanche conditions even at low elevations.
Additional Information
General Announcements
Remember, when you leave the ski area boundary, Beaver Mt or Cherry Peak, you are entering the backcountry, and you could trigger dangerous avalanches.
As the end of the year approaches, please consider a donation to the UAC to support avalanche forecasting.
Please submit your observations from the backcountry HERE.
For a list of avalanche classes from the Utah Avalanche Center go HERE
For information on where you can ride your sled or snowbike, check out this map of the winter travel plan for the Tony Grove and Franklin Basin Areas 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.
< Previous forecast
Next forecast >