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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Paige Pagnucco
Issued by Paige Pagnucco on
Thursday morning, April 14, 2022
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today and human-triggered avalanches are likely on steep, upper elevation slopes. The new snow may produce soft slab avalanches and long-running sluffs and sustained 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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Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Our last regular forecast is Sunday, April 17th.
Weather and Snow
The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 19°F this morning, and there is 69 inches of total snow at the site, containing 76% of normal SWE. Southwesterly winds are currently blowing around 25 mph at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station with gusts in the 30's.
It felt like January yesterday with cold temperatures, continued snowfall, and excellent riding conditions. Since Monday afternoon the Logan area mountains have picked up over two feet of snow (Tony Grove Snotel reports 2.6" SWE since the start of the storm) with the most falling at upper elevations. Riding conditions are excellent for mid-April with the new snow falling right side up and the hard crust from last week now buried.
A pair of weak weather systems will maintain unsettled weather across northern Utah through tonight. A fast-moving weather system will cross the region Saturday, followed by drier and warmer conditions Sunday into early next week. In the mountains today we'll see snow showers, temperatures near 33 F, and breezy southwest winds blowing 13 to 22 mph with gusts as high as 36 mph. By this evening, the mountains could pick up another 4-8".
Yesterday was mostly stormy, though when the sun peeked through you could feel the snow change immediately.
Recent Avalanches
A skier reported triggering a small, new snow avalanche on a north-facing slope at 8400'. It was 12" deep, 25' wide, and ran about 100' vertical.
(photo credit: R.Choi)
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
Sustained 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.
With windy conditions on tap for 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 excellent riding conditions.
Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
With more snow on the way today, you could trigger soft slab avalanches and long-running loose sluffs on steep upper and mid-elevation slopes.
If the sun pops out today expect an increasing potential for wet avalanches.
  • 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 excellent riding conditions 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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