This map shows where a winter storm warning and winter weather advisories were issued in Utah for the next snowstorm. The storm, which may provide over another foot of snow in the mountains, is expected to arrive Tuesday and linger into Wednesday. (National Weather Service)
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SALT LAKE CITY — The series of storms over the weekend produced as much as 19 inches of snow in Emigration Canyon and over a foot of snow at several of the Wasatch Mountain areas.
Salt Lake Valley even got pelted more than initially forecast. One station in South Salt Lake received 13 inches of snow, while 8 inches of snow fell at the weather station at the Salt Lake City International Airport. It was the most snow the valley has received since February 2021, said KSL meteorologist Kristen Van Dyke.
Some lingering storms in central Utah and patchy ice also produced slick roads Monday morning. But as most Utah communities have finished digging out the weekend snow, more is on its way — especially in the northern half of the state.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for northern Utah mountain areas from Nephi north to the Utah-Idaho border, where up to another 1 1/2 feet of snow is possible. It also issued a series of winter weather advisories for mountain areas in central Utah and the Wasatch Front/Cache valleys, where another 6 inches of snow is forecast.
Most of the alerts go into effect Tuesday morning and remain in place through most of Wednesday.
“We’ve needed the snow, we just had to wait until March to get some,” Van Dyke said. “It looks like it’s the month, though.”
More snow on the way
The snow from the weekend helped push the statewide snowpack back to 84% of the normal for early March. The incoming storm will help chip away at the current deficit, too.
As one of the low-pressure systems moves east, another cold front is coming toward Utah from the northwest, Van Dyke said. The system will produce clouds Tuesday morning with some snow by the Utah-Idaho border, while most of the snow along the Wasatch Front and northern Utah is expected to begin in the mid-to-late afternoon hours, she added.
“It certainly can impact the commute home (Tuesday evening),” she said. “But then the snow starts to turn heavy (Tuesday) night and continues overnight into Wednesday morning. Wednesday morning is when we start to see the snow move farther south, too.”
How much more?
The weather service initially issued a winter storm watch for most of northern Utah mountains and some valleys; however, in an update Monday afternoon, the weather service upgraded it to a winter storm warning for northern Utah mountain areas and a winter weather advisory for most of the valley areas.
Anywhere from 10 to 18 inches is forecast in the Wasatch Mountains within the storm warning, which goes into effect Tuesday morning — 5 a.m. in northern parts of the Wasatch and 11 a.m. in the southern parts of the Wasatch — and remains in place through 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The heaviest snow is expected to fall between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
“Winter driving conditions are expected across all mountain routes, especially Tuesday night through Wednesday,” the alert states. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”
❄️When will snow arrive in your location? For much of northern Utah, snow will arrive Tuesday morning or afternoon but pick up in intensity later in the evening/overnight. Take a look at the attached for more details on snow amounts and timing where you live. #UTwx#WYwxpic.twitter.com/wJ1X8iqUtf
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) March 7, 2022
Another 2 to 6 inches of snow is forecast for valley communities, like Logan, Garden City, Ogden, Bountiful, Salt Lake City, Tooele and Provo. More snow is expected in the northern parts of the region and valley bench areas may receive higher amounts, according to the advisory.
Anywhere from 4 to 9 inches is forecast for the Wasatch Back and central Utah areas, such as Huntsville, Park City, Scofield and Joes Valley.
While the snow totals won’t be the same as the mountain passes, the weather service says drivers should “slow down and use caution while traveling.”
Snow is also forecast in some parts of Utah not included in the alerts. Anywhere from an inch or two, to even 4 inches is possible in areas like Fillmore, Beaver, Cedar City and Monticello.
What’s up next?
While the snow will clear out before Thursday, temperatures will remain cold throughout the workweek, Van Dyke said. Highs will top out in the 30s across the Wasatch Front Thursday and Friday. The highs should return to normal for early March — the upper 40s and low 50s — by the weekend.
High temperatures will fall into the upper 40s in St. George by midweek, but will return to the low 70s by Sunday, as well.
Full seven-day forecasts for areas across Utah can be found online at the KSL Weather Center.
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