Special Announcements***Join us for a Backcountry 101 for snowmobilers on January 28 and 29. This life-saving course is designed for snowmobilers and snow bikers taking their first on-snow avalanche class or looking to refresh previous training. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Weather and SnowMost sunny terrain will remain crusty, but some slopes will soften with today’s warmth. Sheltered, northerly slopes hold dry recrystallized snow or "loud powder". Very shallow snow cover in low and mid-elevation terrain makes for hazardous travel due to rocks, downed trees, and tip-snaring branches. We are tracking the surface snow as it transforms into surface hoar, near-surface facets, and crusts capped by recrystallized snow, all of which are likely to become future persistent weak layers. We are finding extremely large surface hoar crystals in canyon bottoms, and the shallow snow at lower elevations is extremely weak and faceted.
*Paige discusses weak surface snow conditions in this video from Logan Dry Canyon.
At the UAC Card Canyon weather station at 8700 feet this morning, it's 20°F, and there is 41 inches of total snow. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 24°F and 54 inches of total snow. At 9700 feet on Logan Peak, the wind is blowing 20 mph and gusting in the mid-30s from the west-northwest. It's 18°F on Paris Peak at 9500 feet, and the wind is blowing 22 to 26 mph from the west-southwest. It will be another nice day in the mountains, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures around 31°F at 8500 feet. Expect a breeze blowing from the west, 5 to 8 mph, with higher wind speeds along the highest ridges. Although there is little snow available for the wind to drift, redeposition onto steep slopes with weak surface snow could form unstable shallow wind slabs.
Strong high pressure remains over the region through today, with a continued temperature inversion producing hazy and cold conditions in the valleys and fair, mild but gradually cooling conditions in the mountains. A dry, cold front passes to our south tomorrow, ushering in colder temperatures and little chance of accumulating snow. The cold air sticks around through the weekend before temperatures bounce back to our mild "normal" early next week. Models continue to show little enthusiasm for snowfall anytime soon.
Recent AvalanchesNo avalanches have been reported recently. For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan Zone, go HERE.
Traveling conditions are good in the backcountry, with stable snow and pleasant weather. You can expect generally safe avalanche conditions, but remember, LOW danger doesn't mean there's NO danger. Now is a great time to get out in the mountains, explore new terrain, and practice companion rescue with your backcountry partners in the fresh air and nice weather.
Use safe travel practices: travel with a partner, and cross or ride steep slopes one at a time while the rest of your group watches from a safe spot.
Are you interested in learning more about avalanches? Visit our education page for details on all our classes.
For more information, visit the UAC weather page here: UAC Weather Page For Logan-specific weather, go here: Logan Mountain Weather
-For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.
-Remember, the information you provide could save lives, especially if you see or trigger an avalanche. To report an avalanche or submit an observation from the backcountry, go HERE
-Receive forecast region-specific text message alerts to receive messages about changing avalanche conditions, watches, and warnings. Sign up and update your preferences 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.
