Avalanche in Logan Canyon causes delays

An avalanche crossed U.S. 89 in Logan Canyon at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2016. The avalanche shut down traffic for several hours as crews worked to clear the snow. There were no vehicles caught in the avalanche.

Temperatures above freezing and light rain Sunday and Monday made for dangerous avalanche conditions in Northern Utah’s backcountry. The Utah Avalanche Center spotted several avalanches in the area, including one in Logan Canyon on U.S. 89 in the area commonly referred to as the Dugway.

The avalanche was reported at approximately 2:30 p.m. and it took crews several hours to clear the snow from the highway. No vehicles or individuals were reportedly caught in the avalanche.

Other avalanches were spotted in Logan Canyon at lower elevations, near the River Trail and in Green Canyon. The Avalanche Center has issued a High avalanche warning for lower elevations throughout Northern Utah because of warming temperatures and saturated snow.

The center encourages people to avoid and stay out from under steep slopes with saturated snow, as well as drifted slopes and slopes with significant fresh accumulations at upper elevations.

Temperatures Tuesday are expected to be in the lower 40s so the likelihood of additional avalanche activity remains high.

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