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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Sunday morning, January 16, 2022
The snow is stable, the danger LOW, and avalanches are unlikely. Low danger does not mean no danger, and there is a chance that a person could trigger an isolated dangerous avalanche failing on a persistent weak layer near the ground. Very steep rocky slopes with shallow snow cover, areas where you sink into weak sugary snow or can poke your ski pole to the ground are suspect. Loose wet avalanches are possible in the heat of the day, especially in sheltered sunny terrain. Use normal caution.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
The weather and the air are much nicer in the mountains these days, and backcountry snow is supportable and stable. You'll find fast snow conditions and challenging areas with rock hard or variable and breakable crusts. While the snow is extra crunchy at lower elevations due to last week's rain storm, soft recrystallized surface snow can be found in sheltered shady terrain up higher, and sunny slopes are reported to be smooth and "buttery".
Here is what we found on Thursday in the Cornice Ridge Area, west of Tony Grove Lake.
The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 29°F this morning and there is six feet of total snow. Winds out of the west-northwest are blowing around 20 mph this morning at the CSI Logan Peak weather station. Expect fair weather in the mountains again today, continuing through tomorrow. High temperatures at 8500' will be around 34°F today and will drop to around 14°F tonight. Tomorrow's weather will be similar to today's, with temperatures topping out around 35°F. Our next chance for a little snow comes in the middle of the week, with a few flakes possible on Wednesday.
Recent Avalanches
It's been 3 weeks since the last natural avalanche failing on a buried sugary persistent weak layer occurred in the Logan Zone. Providence Peak, 12-27-2021
Friday, an observer spotted some fresh minor loose wet activity in the Cherry Creek Area in the Mount Naomi Wilderness. More of this type of activity is likely during the heat of the day in sheltered sunny terrain and around rock outcroppings and cliff bands.
Check HERE for all the latest observations and avalanche activity.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
LOW danger means the snow is stable and avalanches are unlikely on most slopes in the backcountry, but whenever you venture into the mountains you need to use your head and travel with caution. It'll be a great weekend to get out into the backcountry and enjoy fantastic weather and great views. There is not much powder to be found these days, but there is some nice soft recrystallized surface snow in sheltered upper elevation terrain. Supportable snow makes for easy and fast travel up high, but a breakable crust makes midday travel a bit more challenging at low and mid elevations.
  • Although unlikely, people still might trigger dangerous avalanches breaking several feet deep on faceted snow near the ground on isolated upper elevation slopes steeper than 30°. Watch for and avoid very steep slopes with thin snow cover (less than 4'), especially if you sink into weak snow or can poke your ski pole through loose snow to the ground.
  • Small loose wet avalanches are possible in sheltered sunny terrain in the middle of the day, especially around rocks or cliffs. If you start sinking into wet snow during the warm part of the day, or if you see roller balls or natural wet sluffs (loose wet avalanches) you should avoid travel on and under steep slopes.
Get in the habit of always practicing safe backcountry travel protocols by not exposing more than one at a time to avalanche risk, and convince your traveling companions to practice with their avalanche rescue equipment.
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.
  • Check your avalanche rescue equipment, change your batteries, and practice often with your backcountry partners.
    Check slope angles, and to avoid avalanches stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30° and adjacent slopes. Video Here
General Announcements
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.
  • Check out all the upcoming education classes and clinics HERE.
  • 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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