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Forecast for the Logan Area Mountains

Paige Pagnucco
Issued by Paige Pagnucco on
Saturday morning, April 16, 2022
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today and human-triggered avalanches are likely on steep, upper elevation slopes where areas of unstable wind-drifted snow exist. Warm temperatures will increase the likelihood of wet avalanches.
Dangerous avalanche conditions exist and careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential today. Your best bet for safe travel will be on sheltered slopes less than 30 degrees.
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Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Our last regular forecast is Sunday, April 17th.
Weather and Snow
The 8400' Tony Grove Snotel reports 28°F this morning, and there is 75 inches of total snow at the site, containing 77% of normal SWE. Southerly winds are currently blowing around 20 mph at the 9700' CSI Logan Peak weather station with gusts in the 30's.
It was another wintry day in the mountains yesterday with periods of heavy snowfall, gusty winds, and very good powder riding conditions. Today's warmer temperatures will make the snow more seasonal and damp.
Since Monday afternoon the Logan area mountains have picked up well over two and a half feet of snow (Tony Grove Snotel reports 3.7" SWE ) with the most falling at upper elevations.
Today, snow showers are likely in the afternoon. It'll be cloudy with a high of 41 F and southerly winds will blow 11 to 21mph. Some thunder is possible. Not much snow is expected today but the mountains could pick up another 2-4" tonight. Sunday will be a bit cooler and breezy with high pressure returning on Monday.
Recent Avalanches
Multiple soft slab and wind slab human-triggered avalanches were reported yesterday. All occurred above 9000' on NE through E-facing slopes and ranged in width from 100' to 1000' wide.
This snowmobile-triggered avalanche in White Pine Canyon was 2' deep and 1000' wide. (PC: Hawley)
This skier-triggered avalanche occurred yesterday on a steep, northeast-facing slope around 9300'.
Check out all the recent backcountry observations and avalanche reports from across Utah HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Sustained winds combined with heavy snowfall this past week have created sensitive areas of wind drifted snow. These drifts mainly exist on north and east facing slopes but can develop on all aspects with erratic mountain winds.
Avoid steep slopes with freshly wind-drifted snow as well as areas like sub-ridges, scoops, and other terrain features where sensitive drifts of snow can form. Many of the recent avalanches occurred under cliff bands and on steep rollovers. Much firmer snow underfoot is a good clue you're on a wind slab as well as a hollow, drum-like feel. Watch for shooting cracks - a sure sign of instability.
Though less likely, wind drifted snow could also overload slopes with poor snow structure and produce avalanches that step down into old snow.
Sheltered slopes less than 30 degrees will be your best bet for safe travel.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The mountains have picked up 2+ feet of snow this week and with warming temperatures today, it will be possible to trigger a loose wet or wet slab avalanche. Though cloud cover may limit warming, if the sun pops out or greenhousing occurs, the likelihood of wet avalanches will increase.
Watch for signs of instability like rollerballs and pinwheels. When the snow surface becomes damp or saturated, it's time to move to lower-angle terrain or perhaps call it a day.
Additional Information
  • Always follow safe backcountry travel protocols. Go one person at a time in avalanche terrain, while the rest of your party watches from a safe area. (practice anytime while traveling on or under backcountry slopes steeper than 30°)
  • Check your avalanche rescue equipment, change your batteries, and practice often with your backcountry partners.
    Check slope angles, and to avoid avalanche terrain stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30° and adjacent slopes. Video Here
General Announcements
Special thank you to Polaris and Northstar...Video Here
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
  • Please submit your observations from the backcountry HERE.
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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