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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Paige Pagnucco
Issued by Paige Pagnucco on
Thursday morning, April 7, 2022
Generally stable conditions exist in the backcountry and the avalanche danger is LOW.
People can still trigger isolated, small, wind slab avalanches on upper and mid-elevation, east-facing slopes.
Warm temperatures and the high sun angle will increase the possibility for wet avalanches at all elevations and on all aspects.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Weather and Snow
The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 25°F this morning, and there is 57 inches of total snow at the site, containing 68% of normal SWE. Northwest winds are currently blowing around 21 mph at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station with gusts in the 30's. Spring conditions exist in the mountains right now with easy traveling and warm temperatures.
  • It will be sunny in the mountains today, with high temperatures at 8500' around 43°F and winds blowing from the northwest around 5-10 mph.
  • It will be mostly clear tonight with low temperatures around 23°F and 5 to 10 mph northwest winds.
  • Friday, we'll see sunny skies, a high temperature around 52°F, and east southeast winds blowing 5 to 15 mph becoming west southwest in the morning.
  • Cooler air and breezy winds arrive Saturday morning ushering in a period of much colder temps and unsettled weather. Snowfall amounts are uncertain at this time.
It's not the worst we've seen but our mountain watershed could sure stand to get some more snow.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported in the Logan Zone since the rapid warmup at the end of March, which caused many natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches in the Wellsville and Bear River mountain ranges.

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
People could trigger isolated wind slab avalanches on steep upper and mid-elevation slopes. Strong winds on Tuesday created areas of wind drifted snow on the east side of the compass. While these avalanches may be getting harder to trigger, they could pose a threat in high consequence terrain, especially if you get knocked off your feet or sled.
  • Avoid stiffer drifts on the lee side of major ridges, on corniced slopes, and in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, scoops, gully walls, and cliff bands.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
It is April 7th and the high sun angle combined with warm temperatures could create loose wet and potentially wet slab avalanches. When the snow surface is damp and saturated, the snowpack is becoming unstable. In general in the spring:
  • Wet slushy snow is generally unstable on steep slopes.
  • Get an early start, so you can get off the snow early before it is softened by seasonal midday warmth.
  • Avoid and stay out from underneath overhanging cornices.
  • If you start sinking into soft, saturated snow, it's time to change your route, get off and out from under slopes steeper than 30°, or head home.
Additional Information
  • Now is a great time to practice your avalanche rescue skills. Thanks to the generous support of Northstar, the Franklin Basin Beacon Training Park is up and running. The park is located directly west of the parking lot and is open for anyone to use. All you need is your beacon and probe. Please do not dig up the transmitters.
  • 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.