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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Friday morning, March 15, 2019
MODERATE: Heightened conditions exist at upper elevations where you could trigger shallow avalanches of wind drifted snow. Rapid warming from high angle sun will cause increasing danger and heightened wet avalanche conditions on sunny slopes. Natural wet avalanches are possible in some areas, so avoid travel in gullies and stay out from under steep sunny slopes.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
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
The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400' reports 3 inches with .2 " SWE in the last 24 hours. It's 14ºF this morning and there is 91" of total snow with 105% of average SWE for the date. It's 10ºF at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and northwest winds are currently averaging around 20 mph. Heightened avalanche conditions exist today at upper elevations, and you might trigger shallow avalanches of fresh wind drifted snow in some areas. Rapid solar warming today will create heightened wet avalanche conditions on sunny slopes.
High pressure aloft will expand across the western states and bring drier and more stable conditions to Utah through the upcoming weekend. The next storm system is expected to arrive around the middle of next week. It'll be sunny in the mountains today. High temperatures at 8500' expected be around 31ºF, with fairly light west winds. It will be clear tonight, with low temperatures around 14º F, and 3 to 6 mph west-northwest winds. It will be sunny tomorrow, with high temperatures around 35ºF, and light and variable winds.
Recent Avalanches
  • Yesterday, backcountry skiers in the Cherry Creek area in the Mount Naomi Wilderness found evidence of some natural activity and easily triggered small soft slab avalanches of fresh wind drifted snow.
  • Riders remote triggered a small wind slab avalanche west of Tony Grove Lake
A remotely triggered wind slab avalanche from Thursday (3/14/19) in the Tony Grove Area.
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
You could trigger avalanches of recently wind drifted snow at upper elevations. Soft and stiffer wind slab avalanches, 1 to 2 feet deep, are possible for people to trigger in some areas.
Avoid large cornices and fresh drifts on the lee side of major ridges in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gullies, scoops, stringers, and cliff bands .
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Avalanches of wet snow will become increasingly possible today as high-angled March sun rapidly warms sunny slopes. You should avoid steep slopes with saturated or sticky surface snow. Roller balls, pin wheels, and small natural sluffs indicate potential for loose wet avalanches. You can easily avoid this problem if you move up in elevation and into shady or more north facing terrain. Lower angled, upper elevation slopes offer the best snow quality.
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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