The most recent storm may dump at least one foot of snow in some areas of Utah’s mountains

Salt Lake City, Utah – Although Utah’s typical snowpack collection peaked earlier this week, at least one more storm is expected to add to an already exceptional year.

On Friday morning, the National Weather Service revised its winter weather alert for the Wasatch Mountains. The majority of the range might have 8 to 16 inches of snow, but the advisory says that this weekend, the higher Cottonwood canyons could see up to 2 feet of snowfall.

The most recent storm, according to KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson, is moving from California toward Utah. Early on Friday afternoon, a cold front ahead of the core low-pressure system is predicted to move over the Wasatch Front, bringing with it some mountain snow showers and valley rain.

On Thursday, the winds picked up significantly due to the approaching storm. Numerous wind advisories and strong wind warnings were issued throughout the state by the meteorological service’s Salt Lake City and Grand Junction offices, and they remained in effect for the majority of Friday. The alerts stated that gusts of up to 55 to 75 mph might occur in various areas of the state.

As the cold front passes through the state, those alerts will be in effect through Friday afternoon in western Utah and Friday night in eastern Utah.

As the low-pressure center moves through the Utah–Idaho border overnight and into Saturday morning, there may be sporadic showers throughout Friday afternoon and evening. Johnson stated that as the low-pressure system moves across the area on Saturday morning and afternoon, there will be a combination of rain and snow.

“We could see some snowflakes fly in the valley floor,” he said, adding some scattered showers are possible Saturday evening.

It is anticipated that the storm will pass by Sunday morning. Although the Wasatch Mountains could receive one to two feet of snow, according to the winter weather alert, Johnson noted that during the past day, precipitation models have “come down a little bit.” He said that a University of Utah model indicates that portions of the Cottonwood valleys might receive as much as 20 inches of snow by the end of Saturday. He stated that several mountain areas in northern Utah could receive 8 to 14 inches of snow.

He notes that while some precipitation is predicted for most valley locations on Friday and Saturday, the majority of it is expected to fall in the vicinity of Salt Lake County and places to the north of it. By Saturday night, the region of the state may see 0.25 to 0.5 inches of precipitation. Additionally, certain areas in southern and central Utah may receive 0.10 inches or more.

On the valley floors, little to no snow accumulation is anticipated, but a dusting or two of snow may fall in certain bench areas.

The beginning of next week is expected to bring with it warmer and drier weather. The current prognosis indicates that by midweek, high temperatures along the Wasatch Front will rise back into the 60s and potentially even 70s. In St. George, highs can potentially hit the 80s by then.
You may find complete seven-day predictions for Utah online at the KSL Weather Center.