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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Monday morning, February 18, 2019
MODERATE: Avalanches consisting of wind drifted snow are possible on mid and upper elevation slopes. It's unlikely for a person to trigger one, but dangerous avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer remain possible on isolated slopes with poor snow structure. Fine powder is plentiful in the backcountry, and you can find safer conditions and Low danger at lower elevations, in sheltered terrain, and on slopes less than about 30 degrees in slope steepness.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
  • Beware of large ridge-top cornices and steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
Upper elevations in the Logan Zone picked up over 2 feet of snow with over 4 inches of SWE with the Valentines Storm. There is epic powder, but heightened avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry and human triggered avalanches are possible on many slopes.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 1" of light new snow overnight. It's a chilly 5º F this morning and there's 90" of total snow containing 107% of average SWE for the date. It's 2º F, at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and the wind sensor appears to be covered in rime. Southeast winds are currently averaging around 10 mph at the UDOT Hwy 89 Logan Summit station.
A storm system crossing the area through Tuesday will maintain a cold and moist airmass across the area. Another storm system is expected to impact the state during the second half of the week. Expect mostly cloudy conditions and a chance for a snowflake or two today. High temperatures at 8500' are expected to be around 16º F, and with 5-15 mph east-southeast winds veering from the north, wind chills will be around -15º F. Tonight temperatures will be around 0º F, with 5 to 10 mph north-northeast winds and wind chills around -14º F. Mostly cloudy tomorrow, with high temperatures around 13º F, and 7 to 11 mph north winds.
Recent Avalanches
Numerous natural avalanches involving heavy, drifted, and rain-saturated snow were observed this weekend on slopes at all elevations across the Logan Zone.
This large natural hard slab avalanche was observed Friday afternoon in upper Providence Canyon. The crown looks to be 6 to 8 feet deep and it's about 1000' wide.
There were several large avalanches at low elevations on the east side of the Wellsville Range involving wind drifted and rain saturated new snow. This one is at around 6000' on Maple Bench.
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Winds calmed significantly yesterday, but they veered from the east last night, so fresh drifts may exist in unexpected or unusual places. Heightened avalanche conditions still exist on previously drifted upper and mid-elevation slopes. Avalanches involving wind drifted snow could be small, soft and manageable or hard, large, and much more dangerous. Hard wind slabs sometimes let you get out on them before releasing.
  • You should stay clear of ridge top cornices, which have grown quite large in places. Cornices are likely to break much further back than expected and may trigger large avalanches on steep slopes below.
  • Avoid wind drifted snow on the lee side of major ridges and in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, scoops, stringers, cliff bands, and gullies.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Dangerous human triggered 2 to 5-foot-deep hard slab avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer are possible in isolated areas with poor snow structure, and you still might trigger one remotely, from a distance or below. Be especially careful in areas with shallow snow cover or anywhere where you sink to the ground in weak snow when you get off your sled or skis. Significant accumulations of SWE added quite a bit of weight to the slab overloading buried weak faceted snow in some places. Continue to avoid wind drifted snow on very steep, rocky, or shallow slopes with poor snow structure.
Additional Information
I will update this forecast Wednesday morning.
The new weather station at the WSU Bloomington Canyon Yurt is up and running. Data available HERE
Now is a great time to practice companion rescue techniques with your backcountry partners. You should check out and use the new Avalanche Beacon Training Park we set up at the Franklin Basin trailhead. Special thanks to Northstars Ultimate Outdoors and USU Outdoor Program for helping us to make this possible.
General Announcements
The Beaver Mountain Backside is the backcountry, and it is avalanche terrain. Same goes for the steep rocky terrain adjacent to Cherry Peak Resort. If you leave a ski area boundary, you and your partners should carry and practice with avalanche rescue equipment and follow safe backcountry travel protocols.
Check out the improved weather links, road conditions, and weather links for each forecast region on the new UAC IOS App. Do you use the NOAA point forecast? If so, now you can bookmark your favorite weather locations in "My Weather" in the App. HERE
Are you new to the backcountry or looking to refresh your skills? The UAC has released a free 5-part avalanche skills eLearning series. HERE
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Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations. HERE You can call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your Instagram.
This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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