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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Paige Pagnucco
Issued by Paige Pagnucco on
Wednesday morning, April 13, 2022
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today and human-triggered avalanches are likely on steep upper and mid-elevation slopes.
The new snow may produce soft slab avalanches and long-running sluffs and strong winds have created areas of unstable, wind-drifted snow.
Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential today.
Your best bet for safe travel and good riding conditions will be on sheltered slopes less than 30 degrees.
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Special Announcements
Our last regular forecast is Sunday, April 17th. Intermittent forecasts will be issued through April based upon weather conditions which affect avalanche danger.
Weather and Snow
The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 12°F this morning, and there is 66 inches of total snow at the site, containing 65% of normal SWE. Westerly winds are currently blowing around 15-20 mph at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station with gusts in the mid 20's.
It was truly winter-like in the mountains yesterday with cold temperatures, blustery winds, and periods of high-intensity snowfall. Since Monday afternoon the Logan area mountains have picked up 1-2 feet of snow (Tony Grove Snotel reports 2" SWE since the start of the storm) with the most falling at upper elevations. Riding conditions are very good for mid-April with the new snow falling right side up and the hard crust from last week now buried.
Heavy snowfall and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions in the backcountry.
A cold and unstable airmass will remain across the region through today. A gradual warming trend will follow for the latter portion of the week, with a few chances for light mountain snow.
We'll see snow showers and westerly winds blowing 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Wind chills will be in the negative single digits so bundle up. Some thunder is also possible.
By this evening the mountains could pick up another 3-7".
In my pit yesterday I found active facets about 75 cm up from the ground. Though it is underneath a pretty stout melt-freeze crust, it's surprising to see this layer in mid-April.
Recent Avalanches
No recent avalanches have been reported.
Check out all the recent backcountry observations and avalanche reports from across Utah HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Strong winds combined with heavy snowfall (both red flags for avalanche danger) have created sensitive areas of wind drifted snow. These drifts mainly exist on the eastern half of the compass but can develop on all aspects with erratic mountain winds.
As the storm continues today, you'll want to avoid steep slopes with freshly wind-drifted snow as well as areas like sub-ridges, scoops, and other terrain features where sensitive drifts of snow can form. Much firmer snow underfoot is a good clue you're on a wind slab as well as a hollow, drum-like feel. Watch for shooting cracks - a sure sign of instability.
Though less likely, wind drifted snow could also overload slopes with poor snow structure and produce avalanches that step down into old snow.
Sheltered slopes less than 30 degrees will be your best bet for safe travel and very good riding conditions.
Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The new snow is falling onto a variety of firm, frozen surfaces. With more snow on the way today, both triggered and natural soft slab avalanches and long-running loose sluffs in steep upper and mid-elevation terrain are possible.
Pay attention to the weather and watch for signs of instability like recent avalanches and cracking in the new snow.
Avoid being on or under slopes steeper than 30 degrees to avoid this problem. You'll find very good riding condtions on slopes less than 30 degrees.
Additional Information
  • Always follow safe backcountry travel protocols. Go one person at a time in avalanche terrain, while the rest of your party watches from a safe area. (practice anytime while traveling on or under backcountry slopes steeper than 30°)
  • Check your avalanche rescue equipment, change your batteries, and practice often with your backcountry partners.
    Check slope angles, and to avoid avalanche terrain stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30° and adjacent slopes. Video Here
General Announcements
Special thank you to Polaris and Northstar...Video Here
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
  • Please submit your observations from the backcountry HERE.
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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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