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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, February 26, 2020
Snow is stable, avalanches are unlikely, and the danger LOW on most slopes in the backcountry. Exceptions may exist on steep slopes at upper elevations, where people could still trigger shallow slab avalanches of recently wind drifted snow or loose sluffs of Monday's new snow.
  • Use normal caution, which means check everyone's rescue gear, and continue to follow safe travel protocols.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
It's 13°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel, and there is 89 inches of total snow, containing 120% of normal Snow Water Equivalent. About 7 inches of new snow with 0.6" SWE fell at the station earlier in the week. West winds are blowing around 20 mph this morning at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and it's 10°F.
The snow is stable on most slopes in the Logan Zone and avalanches are unlikely. Exceptions might be found on steep upper elevation slopes, where shallow wind drifts exist on slopes facing the eastern half of the compass, and people could still trigger small loose sluffs of new snow. You can still find nice, soft shallow powder conditions in sheltered shady terrain and smooth dust-on-crust on many other slopes. We are still finding the best riding conditions on sheltered slopes and in lower angled terrain.
High pressure will continue to gradually build into the region through the remainder of the week. We'll see sunny skies today, with 8500' high temperatures around 27°F, and 21 mph west winds, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Wind chill values will be as low as -18°F. It will be partly cloudy tonight, with low temperatures around 15°F, west winds 18 to 23 mph, with gusts of around 34 mph. Tomorrow will be sunny with high temperatures near 30°F, and west-northwest winds 14 to 18 mph. The next chance for snow comes next week, when a pair of storm systems may affect the region Sunday and next Tuesday.
Recent Avalanches
Observers in the last week report triggering small avalanches of wind drifted snow and loose dry sluffs on steep upper elevation slopes in the Mount Naomi Wilderness. No other avalanches were reported in the Logan Zone recently.
Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
There is Low danger in the backcountry and avalanches are unlikely but not impossible. People should check everyone in their party to make sure all their avalanche rescue gear is in good working order. Be sure everybody has a beacon, probe, and shovel. Continue to practice safe backcountry travel protocols, which means only cross steep slopes and avalanche paths one-at-a-time while the rest of your party watches from a safe location. Although avalanches are generally unlikely, they are still possible, especially on steep upper elevation slopes.
  1. Early this week, several inches of snow fell at upper elevations in the Bear River Range, and it was drifted by fairly strong westerly winds. Shallow drifts formed on some upper elevation slopes, mainly on those facing the eastern half of the compass. Although these have adjusted significantly, some still could be sensitive today and people might trigger shallow avalanches of wind drifted snow.
  2. Loose dry or moist sluffs of fresh snow sliding on slick crust are possible on steep upper elevation slopes. These will be mostly manageable, but people should avoid travel on very steep slopes with potential terrain traps below.
  • Watch for and avoid drifts near ridge lines and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, scoops, gully walls, and sub-ridges.
  • Avoid ridge top cornices, which can break much further back than expected and could start avalanches on slopes below.
Additional Information
Many slopes are quite slick and treacherous due to rain and rime events earlier in February. You could encounter slippery and dangerous "slide for life" conditions in steep terrain with a hard snow surface or a shallowly buried thick crust. An ice ax and crampons, (or whippet and ski crampons) may be needed for safe travel on many of the steep slopes and mountaineering routes in the zone.
General Announcements
Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, we have discount lift tickets available. All proceeds from these go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education! Get your tickets 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 also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.
This forecast is from the USDA Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. The forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
I will update this forecast before about 7:30 Friday morning.
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