After record highs, temperatures will drop in Utah, and there could be snow

After record-breaking weekend temperatures in Utah, it will turn a lot colder Tuesday — back to near normal.

According to the National Weather Service, a cold front will move into northern Utah late Monday afternoon, dropping temperatures 20 to 25 degrees and bringing with it snow that could reach all the way down to valley floors Tuesday morning. Monday’s forecast high in the Salt Lake City area is 65 before the cold front arrives, with a 70% chance of rain changing to a 60% chance of snow overnight. Tuesday’s forecast high is 46, with a 50% chance of snow.

Most of the accumulating snow will fall in the mountains, but light amounts are possible for northern Utah valleys, including the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley.

According to the weather service, the high of 79 (reported at the Salt Lake City International Airport) on Saturday broke the record for April 3 — 76, set in 1961. And a repeat of that 79-degree high Easter Sunday tied a record for April 4, set in 1889.

It was even warmer in Provo, which broke a 29-year-old record of 77 on Saturday with a high of 81, and a 21-year-old record of 80 with a high of 82 on Sunday.

Records were set or tied around the state, including at Alta, Cedar City, Hanksville, Kanab, Manti and Scipio.

The unseasonably warm and dry conditions — along with gusty southwest winds and low humidity — will mean continued critical fire conditions Monday and Tuesday in southwest Utah, Castle Country, the San Rafael Swell, Uinta Basin and Henry Mountains.