Forecast: Logan Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Special Avalanche Bulletin

What:
The Utah Avalanche Center is warning of dangerous avalanche conditions across all Utah mountains this weekend. This week’s heavy snowfall and strong winds overloaded preexisting weak layers, creating a HIGH avalanche danger across the entire state. With improving weather moving in for the weekend, avalanche accidents are likely in the backcountry. There have already been two tragic avalanche fatalities this week, as well as several close calls and numerous backcountry avalanches reported.

When:
In effect from 6:00 AM MST today to 6:00 AM MST Monday

Where:
The mountains of Utah and southeastern Idaho.

Impacts
Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry and will persist through the weekend. Natural avalanches are possible, and people are likely to trigger avalanches on slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Dangerous and deadly avalanches can be triggered remotely (from a distance or from below). People leaving ski area boundaries are entering the backcountry where the same dangerous avalanche conditions exist.

Warning Times:
Friday, February 20, 2026 – Monday, February 23, 2026 at 6:00 AM MST

Regions:
ALL

Weather and Snow

Heavy snowfall and strong winds over the past week created serious, dangerous avalanche conditions in the backcountry. On drifted upper- and mid-elevation slopes facing northwest through east, two- to three-foot-thick slabs of dense, wind-drifted snow now sit over our widespread Dry January Layer—an extremely weak foundation of faceted snow. This is a classic, high-consequence setup.

While obvious warning signs like cracking and collapsing may be less frequent, that does not mean the snowpack has strengthened. The weak layer remains intact, and the avalanches it can produce are large, destructive, and unsurvivable in many areas. Diminishing red flags can create a false sense of security, but the consequences remain the same. This is not the time to push slope angles or step out into bigger terrain. There is excellent deep-powder riding on low-angle slopes and in open meadows, well away from avalanche terrain. Staying disciplined with terrain choices—keeping slope angles under 30 degrees and avoiding runouts—remains the safest way to enjoy these conditions right now.

Currently, at 8700 feet, the UAC Card Canyon station reports 23°F, and there's 56 inches of total snow. The Tony Grove Snotel, located at 8400 feet, reports 23°F, and there's 68 inches of total snow. Winds on Logan Peak are blowing from the south in the 20s mph with gusts a bit higher. It's 14°F on Paris Peak at 9500 feet, and the wind is blowing lightly from the south.

Today will be another beautiful day in the mountains with sunny skies and 8500' high temps near 34°F and light winds blowing from the south. Expect the same tomorrow but a bit warmer.

Avalanche professionals call days like today "accident days." They are the days we wait for all year in terms of fresh powder and beautiful weather but... the snowpack setup is dangerous and people will be tempted to ride untracked steep slopes - don't do it. Make conservative terrain choices today.

We've already lost two people to avalanches this week in Utah - we don't want to lose another.

Recent Avalanches

Two tragic fatal avalanche accidents occurred in the last week in the Wasatch Range. There have been numerous accidents and close calls across the state. For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan zone, go HERE.

The avalanche below was triggered by a snowmobiler yesterday in the Logan Peak area, after the slope had already been ridden multiple times. Tracks on a steep slope are not proof of stability—they’re just proof that someone hasn’t hit the weak spot yet. With a faceted weak layer, stability can vary dramatically across a slope. You only need to find the thin spot in the slab or the shallow trigger point to collapse the weak snow beneath it. Persistent weak layers are notoriously unpredictable, and previous tracks offer no guarantee of safety.

Triggering this type/size of avalanche is likely again today. You'd be lucky to survive. (pc:Wolford)

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Avalanche conditions remain dangerous in the backcountry as preexisting layers of very weak snow are overloaded by last week's heavy storm snow and drifting.

Avalanches can be triggered remotely (from a distance or below).
Avalanches failing on the weak snow could be large and unsurvivable.
Audible collapsing or whumpfs and shooting cracks indicate unstable snow, but may not always be present.
The only way to avoid this problem is to avoid steep slopes.

This is the kind of avalanche we are talking about - large, destructive, and lethal. (pc: Wolford)

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Avalanches of previously wind-drifted snow failing on a persistent weak layer are likely on the lee side of major ridges and in and around exposed terrain features at all elevations, particularly on upper-elevation slopes facing northwest through southeast.

Thick slabs of wind-drifted snow formed in and around terrain features like starting zones, sub-ridges, rock outcroppings, gullies, and mid-slope rollovers.
Wind slabs of stiffer, drifted snow are rounded and smooth-looking, and they often sound hollow, like a drum.
Beware if you cause cracking in stiffer drifted snow. Collapsing or whumpfing is a major indicator of instability.
Even small avalanches can be quite dangerous if you are carried into trees or other terrain traps below.

Even a small avalanche of wind-drifted snow can have nasty consequences in certain terrain. (pc: Smoot)

Additional Information

Paige explains how different types of weak snow that develop during periods of benign weather can become persistent weak layers when buried by future snows. Dangerous avalanche conditions are developing as persistent weak layers are overloaded by heavy snow this week.

Travel with a partner, and cross or ride slopes steeper than 30 degrees one at a time while the rest of your group watches from a safe spot.
Ensure that everyone in the group has avalanche rescue equipment (a transceiver, probe, and shovel) and knows how to use it.

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Join the UAC for the first "Stay and Play Avalanche Course" at Bear River Lodge in the Uintas, March 19th-22nd. This course is designed for snowmobilers by snowmobilers, where you will learn avalanche rescue, riding skills, and how to survive in the backcountry. Come enjoy all the luxury offerings at Bear River Lodge and improve your skills along the way.

For all questions on forecasts, education, Know Before You Go, events, online purchases, or fundraising, call 801-365-5522.

Did you know the UAC hosts a podcast? Episode 2 of Season IX is just out - AI, Machine Learning, and the Value of Expert Intuition at the Utah Avalanche Center.

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

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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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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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