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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Tuesday morning, December 5, 2023
People are likely to trigger dangerous avalanches in the backcountry today. The danger is CONSIDERABLE on upper and mid-elevation slopes steeper than 30 degrees snow-covered before last weekend's storm. Avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer up to 3 feet deep could be triggered remotely or from a distance. Wet avalanches entraining saturated storm snow are possible at low elevations and in sunny terrain.
Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential for backcountry travel today.
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Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Join the Utah Avalanche Center in Logan for the 20th Annual Pray for Snow Party and Fundraiser tonight Tuesday, Dec 5th, from 6:00-10:00 PM at The Cache to support avalanche forecasting, education, and awareness in northern Utah. Purchase tickets here.
The 5th Annual Avalanche Awareness Week is December 3-10. The week's goal is to save lives through activities that promote avalanche awareness, education, and safety. We have a variety of events around the state. Find an event near you.
Weather and Snow
Significant drifting and very heavy snowfall occurred over the weekend, and the danger remains CONSIDERABLE on slopes with underlying weak, sugary snow.
Today will be mostly sunny and warm. 8500' high temperatures will be around 37 F, and they will be in the mid-40s at lower elevation in Logan Canyon.
Snow is likely up high, starting Wednesday night and continuing into the weekend. Counted in inches rather than feet, accumulations will be relatively light compared to those from last weekend's storm.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports well over 3' of snow from the weekend storm, containing a whopping 6.6" SWE (snow water equivalent). Elsewhere, about 30 inches accumulated at the new Card Canyon weather station, and a similar amount fell at Beaver Mt.
Recent Avalanches
We observed several recent natural avalanches in the Central Bear River Range that occurred late on Sunday and overnight Monday. Clouds obscured views of the Bear River Range high country yesterday, where more natural activity likely occurred.
You can go to our avalanche page to check out yesterday's reported avalanche activity from the Wasatch Range.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The November snow in upper elevation avalanche starting zones before the weekend storm is extremely weak and sugary due to its shallowness and sustained cold temperatures. Heavy snow and drifting from last weekend’s storm overloaded this weak faceted snow (now a persistent weak layer), and several large avalanches up to 3 feet deep and 150 feet wide occurred in the last few days.
  • Avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer could be triggered remotely, from a distance, or below.
  • Cracking and collapsing (or whumpfs) are definite signs of instability.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Even on slopes bare before the storm, sun and warming temperatures will soften and saturate the already moist storm snow, and loose wet avalanches entraining heavy wet snow are possible in steep terrain.
Additional Information
This fall, we installed two new weather stations in the Logan Zone. They are both up and running, producing real-time data available to the public, and they will help us forecast mountain weather and local avalanche danger more accurately.
  • The Paris Peak Weather Station (available HERE) was installed in the northern Bear River Range near the summit of Paris Peak at around 9500 feet in elevation, northwest of Bear Lake. It measures mountain-top winds in a vast area without similar data.
  • We installed the Card Canyon Weather Station (available HERE) near Red Pine Ridge at about 8750 feet in elevation north of Logan Peak in upper Card Canyon. In addition to other weather details, this station will measure the total snow depth and its changes throughout the winter.
General Announcements
Taking time to pull out, check your companion rescue gear, and practice with your transceiver is essential. watch a short video here
The Tony Grove Road is not maintained for winter driving, and you will encounter very deep snow conditions if you venture up there. You will get stuck if you try it.
Our 20th annual Pray For Snow fundraiser party is tonight, December 5, at the Cache on Main Street in Logan. For more information and to get your tickets in advance, go to our events page.
Know Before You Go - December 6 - Utah State University, Logan. It’s Free! Please join us for a KBYG presentation hosted by Utah State University from 6:00 - 8:00 PM: Location: USU Aggie Recreation Center (ARC), 805 E 700 N, Logan, UT.
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.
We will update this forecast tomorrow morning.
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