The avalanche danger is LOW. Although unlikely, small wind slab and loose avalanches remain possible on some upper-elevation slopes.
Special Announcements*** For your reading pleasure, check out a new blog post by UAC Forecaster, Drew Hardesty, "Utah – The Greatest...*Rain* on Earth?!?" and this from UAC Director Paige Pagnucco - Weak Snow: Today’s Surface, Tomorrow’s Avalanche Problem
Weather and SnowSkies will be mostly sunny again today with high temperatures at 8500 feet near 40°F. Light to moderate winds will blow from the northwest. Under a strong high-pressure system, we can expect persistent fair and mild conditions in the mountains through the remainder of the week and the weekend. Thankfully, a change in the weather is likely next week. Forecasters from the National Weather Service report, "a cooler and more unsettled pattern will develop by early next week as a series of storm systems impact the area, with snow becoming likely, at least for Utah's mountains."
This morning at the UAC Card Canyon weather station at 8700 feet, it's 29°F, and there is 41 inches of total snow. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 30°F and 54 inches of total snow. On the summit of Logan Peak (9700 feet), the wind is blowing 15 to 24 mph from the north-northwest. It's 29°F on Paris Peak at 9500 feet, and the wind is blowing 16 to 22 mph from the north.
We've found nice, fast, soft, and somewhat powder-like riding in sheltered terrain, with the best conditions on low-angled slopes and in the trees. On slopes exposed to the elements, you'll find a wide variety of surface conditions. On some upper elevation slopes, drifts of redeposited snow formed on slopes with preexisting weak surface snow. Stiff wind slabs that a person might trigger can be found near ridge tops and in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, gully walls, cliff bands, and mid-slope rollovers. Small loose avalanches are also possible on very steep slopes, entraining wet snow in sunny terrain, and sugary, faceted snow in shady or northerly terrain. The snow cover is quite thin at lower elevations, and conditions are favorable for wildlife this winter, with sunny slopes below about 7000 feet in elevation completely bare of snow.
Snow conditions in the mountains above Cache Valley on Feb 3, (Richie Schumacher)
Recent AvalanchesNo significant avalanches have been reported recently. For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan Zone, go HERE
Wind has created pockets of wind-drifted snow, stiff wind slabs, on slopes plagued by weak surface snow in some exposed high terrain. People can trigger small hard slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow. Wind slabs formed in and around terrain features and on slopes facing all aspects, but they are most likely to be found on those facing northwest through southeast.
A small recent wind slab avalanche was observed on the west side of Cherry Peak on Monday.
Although large avalanches are generally unlikely today, people could trigger small loose avalanches on steep slopes.
All backcountry travel involves inherent risk, but now is a great time to get up into the mountains, explore new terrain, and practice companion rescue with your backcountry partners.
We are observing weak snow on and near the snow surface, including surface hoar, as Paige found in Garden City Bowls yesterday...
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.
