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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Friday morning, March 1, 2019
MODERATE: Heightened avalanche conditions exist on drifted slopes at upper elevations and on some mid elevation slopes facing northwest, north, northeast, and east. Triggered avalanches of wind drifted snow, 1 to 3 feet deep, and large cornice falls are possible. You can find very nice spring powder riding conditions, mostly stable snow, and LOW danger in sheltered terrain and on lower angled slopes.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
  • Avoid large ridge top cornices and steep slopes with wind drifted snow.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
Enjoy spring skiing at Snowbasin Resort. The UAC has discount Snowbasin tickets available. HERE
Weather and Snow
Freezing overnight temperatures set up the wet lower elevation snow and created crusts on many mid elevation slopes. Very nice spring powder riding conditions, stable snow, and a low danger can be found in sheltered terrain and on lower angled slopes.
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports an inch of new snow in the past 24 hours. It's 19º F and there's 88" of total snow containing 102% of average SWE for the date. It's 8º F, at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and northwest winds are currently averaging around 20 mph.
An active weather pattern will persist across much of the forecast area through the upcoming weekend. The strongest of the storms will bring widespread precipitation to much of southern and central Utah Saturday through Saturday night. The pattern is expected to remain active into the upcoming week. It'll be partly sunny in the mountains today, with high temperatures at 8500' expected to be around 25º F, with 10 to 15 mph west winds. Snow is likely tonight, with 1 to 3 inches possible, low temperatures expected to be around 11º F, with continuing 11 to 15 mph west winds. Snow is likely tomorrow morning, with a high temperature around 24º F and 5 to 10 mph north winds, becoming light and variable.
Recent Avalanches
Natural avalanches of wind drifted snow were observed Monday at lower elevations on cross-loaded east and west facing slopes at around 7000' in elevation
An experienced skier was caught and carried by a wind slab avalanche near the North Ogden divide Monday. report is HERE
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Heightened avalanche conditions exist on drifted upper and mid elevation slopes. After several days with strong and sustained southwest winds, old drifts have become fairly hard and stubborn, but northwest winds are increasing this morning, creating a whole new set of fresh wind slabs. Soft, fresh wind slabs and freshly built cornices might be quite sensitive, sometime releasing on approach, while hard, older wind slabs are tricky and sometimes let people 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.
Additional Information
I will update this forecast tomorrow 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, USU Outdoor Program, and Beaver Mountain Ski Patrol 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
If you would like to get the daily advisory by email you subscribe 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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