A wide-ranging winter storm will affect most of Utah’s mountains this weekend, bringing snow to the mountains and a chance of snow to valley benches.
A winter storm watch has been issued for “all of our mountain zones,” the National Weather Service posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the south end of the state, that watch began Saturday morning; in the north, the watch will begin Saturday night.
The storm is forecast to come in two waves. The first wave will hit Saturday, with snow levels staying high in the mountains, according to the weather service. The second wave, expected to hit Sunday, will involve a “potent” cold front that could bring snow to valley benches.
How much snow is forecast?
As for how much snow will fall, most central and northern mountains will receive 8 to 12 inches, the weather service posted, although the Wasatch Mountains could see 14 inches, the upper Cottonwood canyons could see 16 inches, and the Tushar Mountains could see 20.
As for snow in northern Utah valleys, the greatest chance will come late Sunday to the eastern benches in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber and Utah counties, “though it depends on how quickly snow levels drop, and whether or not precipitation ends before valleys are able to transition to snow,” the weather service posted. If snow does fall on the benches, the accumulation is likely to be minor.
A high wind watch has been issued for northwestern Utah on Sunday, bringing wind gusts up to 60 mph Sunday morning through Sunday evening, the weather service posted. These winds could create strong crosswinds on State Route 30 and Interstate 80.
Holiday week forecast
In the Salt Lake City area, there’s a 50% chance of rain and an expected high of 50 degrees Saturday, according to the forecast. The storm will begin with rain Saturday night and a low of 33 degrees. Sunday will bring a chance of snow, with a 100% chance of rain or snow during the day, and a chance of snow Sunday night that will start at 60% and fall to 30% as the night progresses.
On Monday, the storm will be mostly cleared out, but cold temperatures will remain, with an expected high of 36 degrees. Tuesday will be sunny but slightly warmer, with an expected high of 42 degrees. Wednesday will likely be sunny as well, with a projected high of 45 degrees.
According to The Weather Channel’s forecast, which shows dates further into the future, Thanksgiving will be rainy in Salt Lake City, with a high of 46 degrees.
In the St. George area, the storm is likely to bring rain. A 30% chance of rain is expected Saturday night. The chance of rain expected Sunday starts at 70% and falls to 40% as the day progresses, with a high of 58 degrees.
The storm will likely clear out Sunday night, leaving sunny weather for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs in the upper 50s and lower 60s. Temperatures are unlikely to fall below freezing. Thanksgiving’s forecast looks mostly cloudy, with a high of 59 degrees.
