Forecast: Logan Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Weather and Snow

Riding conditions have improved with the recent storm, however, very little snow exists below 7,000 feet. At upper elevations, new snow and wind-drifted snow have been actively loading the snowpack, especially on slopes facing northwest through southeast. In these areas, it is still possible to trigger dangerous hard slab avalanches two to three feet deep on a buried layer of weak, faceted snow.

Yesterday's storm deposited 8-12" of snow (0.8 - 1.2" SWE) in the Logan Mountains, favoring areas west of SR-89. Moderate to strong W-NW winds accompanied the storm and will continue transporting new snow onto leeward slopes today. Upper elevation slopes facing northwest through southeast are the most suspect, where January facets buried two to three feet deep remain reactive in snowpits. The last reported avalanche failing on this layer occurred Sunday, March 1 (only five days ago). Considering the time it takes for facets to heal, five days is not long. Remain careful and cautious, and stay off and away from steep slopes facing northwest through southeast.

The UAC Card Canyon weather station at 8700 feet reports 17°F, with 6 inches of new snow and 70 inches of total snow. The Tony Grove Snotel, located at 8400 feet, reports 11 inches of new snow (0.9 inches of snow water equivalent), and it's 21°F with 86 inches of total snow. At 9700 feet on Logan Peak, winds are blowing from the northwest at 25 mph, with gusts close to 40 mph. It's 13°F on Paris Peak at 9500 feet, and the wind is blowing 15 to 20 mph from the north-northeast, gusting to 30 mph.

As the storm squeezes out its remaining moisture on the way out of town, we may see a trace to 1" of new snow today. Strong north winds will remain steady at 25-30 mph, gusting to 40 mph, with a slight shift to the northeast this afternoon. Temperatures will remain cool, with a high of 25°F. Tonight, temperatures stay cold as the northwest winds begin decreasing after sunset. It may be another week before we see snow again.

Great riding conditions were found yesterday

Recent Avalanches

In the Wasatch Mountains, avalanches have killed four people recently in separate accidents. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the affected family, friends, rescuers, and community members. Thank you to everyone involved for sharing information.

In the Logan Zone; there were numerous natural wet and small wind slab avalanches during and after Monday's warm and wet storm.

Over the weekend, riders triggered large, dangerous hard slab avalanches. An observer's crew came across and searched a freshly triggered avalanche on Friday, February 27, near the Naomi Trail on an east-facing slope around 8900'. On Sunday, March 1, a rider was caught and carried, and their sled rolled by a 3-foot deep and 50-foot wide hard slab avalanche under a cliff band on a north-facing slope at around 8700 feet in elevation. The video below, submitted by local riders, includes actual images from both avalanches:

Huge thanks to the riders that shared information, photos, and videos. This information may well save lives.... For all observations and avalanche activity in the Logan Zone, go HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

A persistent weak layer of faceted snow that formed in January is buried two to three feet deep on mid and upper-elevation slopes facing the northern half of the compass. On upper elevation slopes facing northwest through east, this weak layer remains especially suspect. Any avalanche that breaks into this layer will be large, destructive, and inescapable.

Hard slab avalanches are becoming stubborn, but it's only been five days since the last reported PWL avalanche. This is no time at all as far as a facet is concerned. A rider, cornice fall, or active wind-loading can cause this layer to wake up from its nap.
Avalanches failing on facets can propagate widely and may be triggered remotely from the side, or worse, from below.

Propagation on the PWL on a NE slope at 8800' (March 5, Garden City Bowls)

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

People are likely to trigger shallow soft slab avalanches of wind-drifted storm snow today, as new snow is drifted onto steep slopes and fresh wind slabs are developing.

Avalanches of wind-drifted snow could step down into the January persistent weak layer and become large and dangerous.
Soft wind slabs can be very sensitive, sometimes occurring when you're approaching. Hard slabs can be trickier; sometimes, allowing a person to get well out on them before suddenly releasing.
Watch for and avoid smooth, rounded, drum-like drifts near ridgelines, sub-ridges, rock outcrops, gully walls, and rollovers. Collapsing and shooting cracks indicate instability—but may not always be present.

Additional Information

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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With complex and dangerous avalanche conditions across the Bear River Mountains, your safest choice is still to stay off and away from steep hills. If you choose to travel in avalanche terrain, follow safe travel protocols by exposing only one person at a time. The video below is about last Friday's Naomi Trail Avalanche.

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

-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

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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.

Observations and Avalanches

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