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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Wednesday morning, March 24, 2021
Heightened avalanche conditions exist on upper and mid elevation slopes, and there is MODERATE danger in the backcountry today. People will find excellent shallow powder riding conditions in upper elevation terrain, but you could trigger avalanches of wind drifted snow on steep drifted slopes. Loose wet avalanches entraining moist storm snow will rapidly become likely in steep terrain as high angled sun warms up the fresh powder from the last couple days.
EVALUATE SNOW AND TERRAIN CAREFULLY
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
Spring Awareness Campaign - Help us save lives through avalanche forecasts and education. Consider making a donation to show your support. HERE
Weather and Snow
It's 17°F this morning at the 8400' Tony Grove Snotel, and there is 72 inches of total snow with 78% of normal SWE. About 3" of new snow fell yesterday afternoon, on top of about 7" from Monday night. It's 12°F and northeast winds are blowing around 20 mph at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station. People will find very nice shallow powder riding conditions in the backcountry again today, especially in shady terrain where the underlying refrozen snow is smooth. The high angled spring sun will heat up the snow, make it sticky and moist, and cause an elevated danger of loose wet avalanches that could entrain large piles of debris on sustained pitches.
We expect mostly sunny skies today, with high temperatures at 9000' around 33°F, but closer to 50 in Cache Valley. Moderate winds from the east-southeast will veer around from the west this afternoon. Unsettled conditions will continue through the work week, with a few inches of snow possible Thursday and Thursday night.
Recent Avalanches
A party reported triggering multiple long running sluffs of moist storm snow in Wood Camp yesterday, (3-23-2021).
These manageable loose avalanches entrained moist storm snow and piled up deeply.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Avalanche problems are limited to newer snow and are found only in the very upper part of the snowpack. Avalanches of drifted storm snow are possible for people to trigger in steep upper elevation terrain. Soft and stiffer slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow up to about a foot deep are most likely on upper elevation slopes, but possible on any steep slope with recent deposits of drifted snow.
  • Continue to use safe backcountry travel protocols. Go one person at a time and watch each other.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Natural sluffs or loose wet avalanches entraining a few inches of moistened fresh snow are quite possible in steep terrain today as the sun warms up the fresh powder. These are quite predictable and generally manageable, but you really have to pay attention to the terrain you are in. Snow falling off rock bands or trees onto steep slopes or people venturing into steep terrain are the most likely triggers of loose wet avalanches today. Obviously, people want to avoid being hit by these avalanches from above, so be sure there are no other people above or below you and avoid being under steep slopes with potential for natural avalanches...
  • Watch out for trees, gullies, and other terrain traps below you if you venture into steep terrain... Even a small avalanche in the wrong place can hurt or kill you.
Additional Information
General Spring Travel Advise:
As daytime temperatures rise, softening the snow, the danger of wet avalanches will increase, so its a good idea to get in the habit of an early start and to plan on heading down before things get too sloppy.
-Watch for trees or other terrain traps below you if you venture onto steep slopes.
-If you start sinking deeply into wet snow, or if the snow you are traveling on becomes unsupportable due to the heat, it's time to leave.
Do you have the essential avalanche rescue gear (transceiver, probe, and shovel) and do you know how to use them? Watch this video to see how the three pieces of equipment work together. HERE
Please keep practicing with the Beacon Training Park at the Franklin Basin Trailhead. Test yourself and your riding partners. It is free, fun, and easy to use.
General Announcements
Preston rider Allen Foss was killed in an avalanche on February 20 near Sherman Peak. Please consider supporting the Foss family during this difficult time. HERE
Visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
EMAIL ADVISORY. If you would like to get the daily advisory by email you subscribe HERE.
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 also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your Instagram, or @UAClogan on Twitter.
We will update this forecast by around 7:30 Friday morning.
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.
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