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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Saturday morning, February 11, 2023
Heightened avalanche conditions exist and the danger is MODERATE on drifted upper elevation slopes steeper than 30°, where people could trigger 1 to 2 feet thick slab avalanches of wind drifted snow. Loose avalanches entraining moist snow are possible on steep sunny slopes in the middle of the day. The danger is LOW in sheltered terrain and at mid and lower elevations, where we've found mostly stable snow and nice powder conditions.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
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Moderate
Considerable
High
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Weather and Snow
Heightened avalanche conditions exist in drifted upper elevation terrain, where people could trigger wind slab avalanches. Winds blowing from the south picked up steam overnight and avalanches are more likely today on drifted slopes facing west, north, and east. People could trigger small wind slab avalanches at any elevation, but they are likely to be bigger up high. Loose avalanches entraining moist surface snow are possible in sunny terrain again today.
Winds at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station are blowing from the south at around 35 mph, and gusting in the 50s. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 29° F and 98 inches of total (settled) snow.
Today will be sunny, with high temperatures at 8500' around 35°F, with moderate winds from the south-southwest.
Tonight, expect mostly cloudy skies, low temperatures around 16° F and winds becoming west-northwest.
Tomorrow will be partly sunny, with high temperatures around 31° F, and moderate winds will blow out of the north around 6 mph.
The next winter storm will impact the area on Tuesday, with several inches possible in the mountains, but the bulk of the storm energy looks to be heading into central and southern Utah.
Recent Avalanches
Observers report easily triggering lots of small wind slab avalanches Thursday and yesterday on slopes steeper than 30° above about 8600' on east and northeast facing slopes in the Central and Northern Bear River Range.
For a list of local avalanches go HERE Find a list of all recent observations & avalanches from across Utah HERE.
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Winds blowing from the south picked up steam overnight, gusting well over 50 mph on Logan Peak, were more than strong enough to drift snow into avalanche starting zones and build hard wind slabs. Significant drifting occurred this week elevating avalanche danger in exposed terrain.
  • In some areas, shallow wind slabs formed on weak surface snow and remain sensitive, with shooting cracks an obvious indicator of instability and numerous small human triggered avalanches of wind drifted snow reported.
  • Avoid corniced slopes and stiffer drifts on steep slopes near ridges and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, mid-slope break-overs, and gully walls.
  • Despite the wind, shallow powder riding conditions remain pretty good in lower angled, lower elevation, and sheltered terrain.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The warmest temperatures we've seen in some time are forecast for today, with daytime high temperatures in the mountains climbing a few degrees above freezing and even a little warmer than yesterday. Loose avalanches entraining sun moistened surface snow are possible on steep sunny slopes in the middle of the day. These could get pretty big on sustained slopes, and could be a problem if a person were to be swept into trees, gullies, or other terrain traps.
Additional Information
The snow on many upper elevation slopes in the Central Bear River Range was affected by strong west and northwest winds on Wednesday
General Announcements
  • 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 Logan and Ogden Ranger Districts HERE, and a close up of 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.
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