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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Friday morning, December 6, 2024
The avalanche danger is LOW. Very shallow, loose, and sugary snow conditions exist, even at upper elevations in the backcountry. Most slopes and trailheads at lower elevations are bare, or the existing snow is extremely shallow.
Use normal caution and keep your speed down.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
AVALANCHE AWARENESS WEEK!
  • Join USU OP and the Utah Avalanche Center for a FREE beacon clinic on Saturday, December 7th, from 10 am to noon on the USU campus. This event is open to anyone wanting to learn how to use an avalanche transceiver or brush up on their transceiver skills.
  • Saturday, December 7 - 17th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) - Information and tickets are available here.
  • Tuesday night's 21st Annual Pray for Snow Fundraiser/Party was a big success! It was great to see you there. THANK YOU!
Weather and Snow
With generally safe avalanche conditions in the Logan Zone, the greatest hazard is hitting rocks. The snow is still quite shallow, even at the highest elevations, with many obstacles visible above the snow surface and others that are only shallowly buried by loose snow. Given the fair weather, it's a good time to get out in the mountains, and backcountry skiers and snowboard riders can find decent "loud powder" conditions, especially on lower-angle, shaded, and sheltered slopes. Some folks on sleds are braving the shallow conditions, and local parts and repair shops are pretty busy fixing the collateral damage these days.

-The 8500' Tony Grove Snotel reports 35°F and 18 inches of total snow on the ground. It's 29°F at the 8800' UAC Card Canyon weather station, with 20 inches of total snow.
-Currently at 9700' at the CSI Logan Peak weather station, it's 30°F and the wind is blowing from the northwest at 16 mph. At 9500' on UAC Paris Peak it's 30°F, and winds are from the north, blowing 12 mph.
  • Expect clear, sunny skies today, a high of 35°F at 8500', and light winds blowing from the northwest. The forecast is essentially the same for tomorrow, but some snowflakes are possible up high on Sunday.
  • Sunday's forecast is for likely snow in the mountains, but less than 1/2 inch of accumulation is likely. Check out the NWS in SLC's Area Forecast Discussion.
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
Mt Magog and environs as seen from the south on 12-3-2024. Some coverage exists, but the upper elevation snow is quite thin and loose, only 1.5 to 2.5 feet (40 to 80 cm) deep.
Recent Avalanches
No significant avalanches have been reported recently.
You can read all observations here.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Risk is inherent in mountain travel, and rocky, shallow snow conditions probably pose a greater hazard than avalanches. However, LOW avalanche danger does not mean NO avalanche danger, and taking a ride in even a small avalanche could be quite dangerous and consequential.
  • In some exposed terrain up high, stiff wind slabs formed on slopes plagued by weak, sugary, or faceted snow. People should avoid stiff drifts, most likely found in upper elevation easterly terrain and in and around terrain features.
  • Small loose avalanches of wet snow may be possible in sunny terrain in the midday heat.
Additional Information
In this archived video, Trent explains the problem of weak, faceted snow development that occurs during high-pressure systems when shallow snow is subjected to cold temperatures this time of year. This is exactly the situation we find ourselves in the Logan Zone today. We'll have to monitor and map the widespread weak snow when storms inevitably start to roll in.
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
-Sign up for forecast region-specific text message alerts. You will receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings...HERE.
-For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.
-To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE.
-Remember that the Tony Grove Road is not maintained for winter driving. Treacherous snow-covered and icy conditions will be encountered.

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.