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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Paige Pagnucco
Issued by Paige Pagnucco on
Thursday morning, April 2, 2020
Overall, there is a MODERATE danger for avalanches. Heavy new snow and gusty winds have created heightened avalanche conditions on many steep slopes in the Logan zone. Human triggered avalanches of wind drifted snow are possible. Loose wet avalanches may be possible on steep lower and mid elevation slopes due to recent rain on snow and warm daytime temperatures.
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Use caution while route-finding and make conservative decisions.
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Weather and Snow
It's 14°F at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel and about 4-5 inches of new snow with .3" Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) fell overnight bringing the storm total to about 16 inches with 1.7" SWE. There is now 104 inches of total snow with 113% of normal SWE. It's 8°F at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station, and northwest winds are currently blowing about 15-20 mph.
A few more inches of new snow fell yesterday at upper elevations and was drifted by moderate but gusty westerly winds. Expect heightened avalanche conditions at upper elevations, with a chance of people triggering avalanches of wind drifted snow. Colder temperatures will decrease the chance of loose wet avalanches today though the wet snow at low and mid elevations is insulated and will still be mostly unconsolidated.
  • Evaluate terrain carefully and continue to practice safe travel protocols to minimize your risk. Staying on slopes less than 30 degrees is the best way to avoid problems.
Cold air aloft will allow for lingering snow showers over northern Utah through today. Zonal flow will take hold across the region for Friday and into the upcoming weekend, allowing for a drying and gradual warming trend.
Expect snow showers in the mountains today, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation expected. It will be cloudy with some sunny patches. 8500' high temperatures will be around 26°F with 10 to 15 mph westerly winds. Low temperatures tonight are expected to be around 11°F with winds switching to the south and calming down. Tomorrow will be partly sunny with high temperatures near 32°F and light southwest winds.
Recent Avalanches
There has been no reported avalanche activity since last week.
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Heightened avalanche conditions exist on drifted upper elevation slopes. People could trigger avalanches 1-3' deep of wind drifted snow on steep upper elevation slopes today.
  • Watch for cracking as a sign of instability.
  • Avoid stiffer, recently drifted snow near the ridge tops, on corniced slopes, and in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gullies, scoops, and cliff bands.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Heightened conditions exist for loose wet avalanches on steep lower and mid elevation slopes. Rain on snow, heavy wet snowfall, and seasonal warmth have saturated the snow which is now insulated by a shallow coating of colder snow. Watch for unconsolidated snow as a telltale sign of instability.
  • If you or your machine starts sinking into saturated snow or where you are gets warm and slushy, you should move off of and out from under steep slopes.
Additional Information
Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.
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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.
We will update this forecast before about 7:30 tomorrow morning.
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