Forecast: Logan Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Special Announcements

*** Check out our new blog post by UAC Forecaster, Drew Hardesty, "Utah – The Greatest...*Rain* on Earth?!?" and, by UAC Director Paige Pagnucco, - Weak Snow: Today’s Surface, Tomorrow’s Avalanche Problem

Weather and Snow

The past few days have felt more like May than February, with very warm temperatures in the mountains and strong sunshine creating dirt patches and puddles at trailheads. It is getting harder to find soft, dry snow, but it is possible (see Flygare ob here), and surface conditions are highly variable. Despite the non-winter-like feel, it is still worth getting out and exploring. There is good coverage above 8000', which makes for easy travel, especially on a snowmobile.

This morning, at the UAC Card Canyon weather station at 8700 feet, the temperature is 30°F, and there is 39 inches of total snow. The Tony Grove Snotel at 8400 feet reports 33°F and 52 inches of total snow. On the summit of Logan Peak (9700 feet), the wind is blowing 20 mph from the west-southwest with gusts in the 30s mph. It's 26°F on Paris Peak at 9500 feet, and the wind is blowing from the southwest 17-24 mph.

Mild weather will continue in the mountains today, with sunny skies and high temperatures near 42°F at 8500 feet. Light winds will blow from the west-southwest. The pattern change we've all been waiting for arrives tonight, bringing colder temperatures and the chance for a few inches of snow tomorrow. Unsettled weather continues for the week, with a good chance for six inches of snow or more in the mountains by late Wednesday night. The models show unsettled weather for the next two weeks.

Recent Avalanches

We observed a sizable debris pile from a recent natural loose wet avalanche on Thursday in Upper Steam Mill Canyon.

For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan zone, go HERE

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Wet avalanches entraining saturated loose snow are possible in the heat of midday, especially in steep, sunny terrain. We found that the excessive warmth at upper elevations made the soft, loose snow sticky even in the deep trees in north-facing terrain.

Rapidly warming temperatures and natural avalanches on similar slopes are red flags indicating potential for more wet avalanches.
If the snow becomes saturated or sticky, move to lower-angle terrain or a cooler aspect or elevation.
Rollerballs, pinwheels, and natural sluffs are all signs of unstable snow.
Natural wet avalanches are most likely on sunny slopes in very steep rocky terrain and under cliffs.

Additional Information

All backcountry travel involves inherent risk...

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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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.

General Announcements

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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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures