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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Thursday morning, April 6, 2023
Dangerous avalanche conditions are found at all elevations on backcountry slopes steeper than 30°. There is CONSIDERABLE danger, with avalanches of wind drifted snow likely on drifted upper elevation slopes, and wet avalanches becoming likely on sunny slopes and at lower elevations. Warming in the next few days will elevate the danger of wet avalanches.
Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and make conservative decisions. *Watch yourself, children, and animals near structures, since roof avalanches are a real threat.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
We've released the accident report for the 3-27-23 Pole Canyon avalanche in the Oquirrh Mountains .....It's HERE
Weather and Snow
Today the sun will be out in full force, for the first time in quite a while. Recent accumulations at lower elevations and in some areas (like the southern part of the zone) are extraordinary. Solar warming will moisten the fresh snow surface and rapidly elevate the danger of loose wet avalanches. Seasonal warmth will also warm up the snow on low elevation shady north facing slopes. Winds from the southwest increased a little overnight and are plenty strong enough to drift fresh snow in windy terrain at upper elevations, and its likely that people could trigger large cornice falls or 1' to 3' thick slab avalanches of wind drifted snow.
The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 2 inches overnight and 3" SWE from the storm. It's 15°F and there is 167" of total snow. The wind is blowing from the southwest 25 mph at the CSI Logan Peak weather station at 9700'.
Here is the NWS point forecast (36 hrs) for high elevations in the Central Bear River Range:
Today: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 29. Wind chill values as low as -6. West southwest wind 8 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -1. South southeast wind 6 to 11 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Wind chill values as low as 4. South wind 10 to 14 mph.
Upper elevation daytime high temperatures are expected rise in the next couple days, and it's expected to be over 50° F and sunny on Monday. Temperatures will be close to 50° F in Logan Canyon on Sunday and 60° F on Monday.
Recent Avalanches
  • A close call occurred on Tuesday in Hillyard Canyon, Cub River Idaho, when a rider triggered a soft slab avalanche, deployed airbag, and was caught and carried face down around 100'. Party had to probe for the sled which was found completely buried about 5' deep. report is HERE
  • We observed numerous instances of snow sliding off roofs in Cache Valley and the surrounding mountains with the seasonal warmth Tuesday and yesterday.
  • An observer reported the party triggered audible collapses, cracking, and observed natural activity in west facing terrain <6000' in elevation in Wood Camp Hollow on Monday. report is HERE
  • Large natural avalanches occurred early Friday morning in the mountains above North Ogden, including off the Ben Lomond Headwall and a handful, crossing and closing the North Ogden Divide road.
  • For a list of recent avalanches in the Logan Zone go HERE
  • There was lots of natural avalanche activity in the mountains of Northern Utah yesterday. Find a list of all recent observations & avalanches from across Utah HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
This morning, winds are blowing moderately but increasing a bit from the southwest. It was very windy over the weekend, with strong westerly winds. Imagine dangerous conditions still exist up high, especially in windy terrain, with huge mouse trap sensitive cornices, and thick, recently formed wind slabs. Large cornice falls and 1' to 3' thick soft and harder wind slabs are likely in windy terrain, especially at upper elevations.
  • Avoid corniced slopes and stiffer drifts on steep slopes near ridges and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, mid-slope break-overs, and gully walls.
  • Evidence of instability could include cracking or collapsing, and some avalanches might be triggered remotely or from a distance.
  • The overhanging cornices on the high ridges are huge this year, and recent storms have built them further out and made them unstable, so people should stay well away and out from under them.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
  • High angle April sun and seasonal warmth could quickly moisten the new snow and rapidly increase potential for wet avalanches in sunny terrain.
  • Dangerous wet avalanche conditions are also found at low elevations, especially on shady forested slopes in steep northerly facing terrain.
  • Expect warming temperatures and intense sun to elevate the danger of wet avalanches significantly in the next few days.
Additional Information
From Hillyard Canyon on Tuesday:
From Ogden Valley on Sunday:
General Announcements
  • Please submit your observations from the backcountry HERE.
  • For a list of avalanche classes from the Utah Avalanche Center go HERE
  • For information on where you can ride your sled or snow-bike, check out this map of the winter travel plan for the Logan and Ogden Ranger Districts HERE, and a close up of the Tony Grove and Franklin Basin Areas HERE.
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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