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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Toby Weed
Issued by Toby Weed on
Tuesday morning, February 14, 2023
Heavy snow and drifting by strong winds from the west overnight elevated the backcountry avalanche danger at all elevations. There is MODERATE danger and people could trigger avalanches of wind drifted storm snow on slopes steeper than 30°
  • Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
It's snowing heavily this morning in the Bear River Range, with 5 inches of new snow as of 6:00 this morning and a blizzard apparent on the Beaver Mountain web cams. Westerly winds are drifting the snow even at lower elevations, with gusts approaching 40 mph recorded early this morning at the UDOT Logan Summit sheds... The other remote weather stations are slow to update, and I'll admit a good deal of uncertainty in today's avalanche forecast. I may be overestimating the danger at lower elevations, but I have noticed weak sugary snow on and near the snow surface on many slopes, especially down low. Also, more dangerous conditions may develop at upper elevations with more than expected snow or continued significant drifting today. Smooth slopes and slick sun-crusts could allow even small avalanches to run fast and far.
Today, we'll see snow and blowing snow this morning, with 2 to 4 additional inches of accumulation possible. High temperatures will be around 13° F, and sustained winds will continue to blow 25 to 35 mph from the west, wind chills will be around -11° F
Tonight, expect snow to taper off, and it will be mostly cloudy, with low temperatures around 0° F, northwest winds 15 to 20 mph and wind chills around -13° F.
Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with high temperatures around 17° F, northwest winds 10-15 mph, and wind chills around -15° F
Expect some sun, and continued cold weather through the work week. Some snow may fall over the weekend and a more productive storm is possible early next week.
Recent Avalanches
Saturday, skiers near Logan Peak in Mill Hollow remotely triggered a 8" deep and 60' wide wind slab avalanche that ran around 500 vrt'. Report is HERE

For a list of avalanches in the Logan Zone go HERE
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
Significant drifting occurred as heavy snow fell last night and early this morning, elevating the avalanche danger in exposed terrain at all elevations. Some wind slabs probably formed on sugary faceted snow and may be pretty sensitive. Although unlikely, avalanches could still be triggered remotely or from a distance.
  • 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.
  • Even small avalanches of wind drifted snow can be a problem in steep terrain, especially if you get carried into trees, gullies, benches, or rocks....
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 snowbike, 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.