The first winter weather advisory of the season is in effect in Utah’s northern mountains until noon Thursday, and some areas could get a foot or more of snow.
The state may also see its coldest temperatures yet this fall, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service issued the advisory for the Wasatch Mountains, both north and south of Interstate 80, and the western Uinta Mountains. Total snow accumulations are expected to range from 2-8 inches, with as much as 12-15 inches in the high Uintas and the upper Cottonwoods
Snow in those higher elevations is expected to be widespread Wednesday, but taper off into the evening and early Thursday. Lake-effect snow is possible on Thursday morning, which could result in snow totals of more than 15 inches in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons.
Winter driving conditions are expected, and there may be traction restrictions in some areas. Big and Little Cottonwood canyons and “high-elevation seasonal routes” — like Monte Cristo Scenic Drive and the Mirror Lake Highway — will likely see the worst driving conditions.
No snow is expected in the valleys, but lake-effect rain will likely impact the area from Bountiful to the Oquirrhs from Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
In the Salt Lake City area, daytime temperatures in the low 50s were expected on both Wednesday and Thursday, along with an 80-90% chance of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday and a 40% chance early Thursday, turning mostly cloudy on Thursday afternoon.
Overnight lows in the low 40s — even the upper 30s in some areas — are expected.
On Thursday morning, freezing temperatures that could affect garden plants are expected across many valley locations in central Utah and outlying areas of Utah Valley, including locations west of Utah Lake and areas near Santaquin and Spanish Fork.
A high-pressure system will usher in warmer, dryer weather this weekend. Mostly sunny skies will return on Friday and continue through the weekend, with highs in the low 60s on Friday, the upper 60s on Saturday and the low 70s on Sunday. That’s slightly above average temperatures for this time of year (66-68).
No rain is expected in southern Utah, where sunny skies will prevail. But it will be cooler than usual for this time of year before rising back to about normal.
In St. George, expect highs in low to mid-70s on Thursday and Friday, and the low to mid-80s on Saturday and Sunday. Average temperatures for this time of year in St. George are 79-81.