Falling away from Friday’s “slightly above normal” temperatures, a Sunday storm is expected to bring cooler temperatures and on-and-off precipitation throughout the Wasatch Mountains.
But a second weather system, hitting central and southern Utah late Tuesday, may bring colder temperatures and more precipitation that could impact Thanksgiving travel.
The cold system began Friday evening, tracking through northern and central Utah before moving through the Wasatch Front, according to Alex DeSmet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Salt Lake City office. Most precipitation is expected to fall on Saturday night and last until Sunday morning.
While Sunday’s flurries will not be “particularly impactful” for the valleys, the storm could impact mountain pass travel. Along the benches, DeSmet said, snowfall could reach up to two inches.
Monday, with an expected high of 47 and a mostly sunny outlook, will bring a break to Utah’s muggy weather before Tuesday’s ensuing cold front.
The second storm system, arriving late Tuesday, will hit all Utah mountains, DeSmet said, with a focus on the central and southern parts of the state.
The cold front, expected to persist through all of Wednesday, may linger into Thanksgiving morning. The front could bring up to two inches of snow for the Wasatch Front, impacting holiday travel, DeDmet said, however rain is slightly favored in the forecast.
“If we stay in the warmer, rainy scenario, and you’re just driving around the Wasatch Front,” the meteorologist explained, “the travel impacts will be more limited than, say, if you’re going up into rainy mountain passes.”
As of Friday evening forecast, there is an 85% chance of rain on Tuesday, with Wednesday slated for a 50/50 chance of a rain and snow mix.
Both storm systems are expected to be “primarily mountain snow producers,” he said, and may bring up to two feet of snow.
While a warmer, rainy scenario is likely, DeSmet recommended Utahns monitor forecasts heading into the Thanksgiving week, especially if traveling through mountain passes.
“Over mountain passes, there could be traction rules in place,” DeSmet said. “There could also be some slick travel or reductions in visibility.”
While the Wasatch Front has not experienced “a lot of snow so far,” the upcoming storm systems, he said, are a “good reminder” for winter precautions, like carrying a blanket, extra food, water and a shovel, especially during travels.
