WEATHER

Another big storm set to bring rain, snow in Utah; flooding possible in some areas

Mar 10, 2023, 8:20 AM | Updated: Apr 17, 2023, 4:21 pm

Vehicles travel on 200 South in downtown Salt Lake City after snow flurries on Wednesday. Another s...

Vehicles travel on 200 South in downtown Salt Lake City after snow flurries on Wednesday. Another storm is expected to provide valley rain and mountain snow across Utah primarily on Friday. (Carter Williams, KSL.com)

(Carter Williams, KSL.com)

SALT LAKE CITY — A small storm that passed through northern Utah on Wednesday and early Thursday produced as much as another 15 inches of snow in the Wasatch Mountains near Logan and a half-foot of snow in the Providence area, according to the National Weather Service.

Meteorologists say it was an appetizer to another winter storm arriving in the state Thursday night into Friday morning. The weather service issued a winter storm warning for a storm that has the potential to deliver 1 to 2 feet of snow or more in Utah’s mountains.

The storm is expected to be milder in the valleys, even producing up to an inch of rain in lower-elevation areas. However, that is also raising some flooding concerns, especially as temperatures begin to warm up after a cold start to the year.

Incoming wind, rain and snow

The storm is expected to arrive either late Thursday night or early Friday morning, impacting northern Utah before the rest of the state, said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson. The system will build up through the morning, providing a mix of valley rain and mountain snow by the morning commute.

“It will continue throughout the day in waves and periods of valley rain and mountain snow,” he said. “The valley rain continues (into Friday night) as a cold front tries to move on through, and then (the storm) extends down into central and southern Utah by Saturday morning.”

The winter storm warning states that multiple feet of snow may end up falling in the mountains.

  • Twelve to 22 inches of snow or more are possible in the Wasatch Mountains south of I-80 and in the western Uinta Mountains, including Alta, Brighton and Scofield. The highest amounts are expected in the upper Cottonwood canyons, the mountains in Utah County and the west Uintas. Wind gusts may also reach 70 mph or more on exposed ridgetops.
  • Ten to 20 inches of snow are projected for the central and southern mountains, including areas like Alton, Brian Head, Cove Fort, Fish Lake and Joes Valley. Wind gusts could range from 55 mph to 65 mph.
  • Nine to 18 inches of snow or more are forecast in the Wasatch Mountains north of I-80, including Mantua and Logan Summit. Wind gusts may also reach 65 mph on exposed ridgetops.

The weather service warns that travel may be “very difficult to impossible” at times in the mountain areas, especially on Friday evening.

“Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility (and) strong winds could bring down tree branches,” the alert states. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

If there is any valley snow produced by the storm, it will be small. The snow line may end up at about 6,500 to 8,000 feet on Friday.

But the storm has the potential to deliver a quarter of an inch to 1 inch or more of rain across the state by noon Saturday, Johnson said. The higher totals are expected in the southern portion of the Wasatch Front into central Utah.

It’s also expected to be windy in the valleys Friday. The weather service issued a wind advisory for the Wasatch Front and Tooele Valley into southern Utah, where sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph and gusts of up to 55 mph are forecast in those areas.

Flooding and avalanche caution

KSL meteorologist Kevin Eubank explained that the rain could cause flooding issues in some communities this weekend.

“Anytime you bring in rain on top of snow, it exacerbates the potential for flooding because you’re not only dealing with the water coming in the rain but you’re dealing with all the water that’s being melted in the snow,” he said. “And beneath the snow is generally frozen ground, so it isn’t like the ground can absorb that rain. … The ground can’t handle that water.”

He added that communities that currently have several inches or feet of snow on the ground are most at risk, such as parts of the Wasatch Back and northern Utah. The risk is lower in places that don’t have as much snow on the ground.

It’s why some communities are already taking precautionary measures.

Wellsville city officials, for instance, announced the city was holding a “sandbag filling party” at its maintenance building Thursday, where volunteers could fill up sandbags in preparation for any flooding “just in case” it begins this weekend. The sandbags, while supplies last, will be available for residents through the spring as long as flood risks remain in place.

Avalanche danger is also expected to increase this weekend as a result of heavy snow.

This may impact more than just the slopes. The Utah Avalanche Center tweeted that “more snow, warmer temperatures and the potential for heavy rain” could cause “roof avalanches” from the rooftops of buildings with lots of snow.

The agency advises people to be “extra cautious” around these types of buildings this weekend.

A spring warmup?

These concerns may continue into next week because another system is forecast to arrive on Tuesday, bringing more valley rain and mountain snow.

Utah is also warming up as it heads into spring. Temperatures may reach the mid-50s along the Wasatch Front and possibly even the low-70s in the St. George area by Monday and Tuesday.

Full seven-day forecasts for areas across Utah can be found online, at the KSL Weather Center.

Contributing: Aimee Cobabe

KSL 5 TV Live

Weather

A sign for the Oklahoma School for the Deaf, lies crumpled and twisted near downtown Sulphur, Oklah...

Graham Lee Brewer, The Associated Press

Oklahoma towns hard hit by tornadoes begin long cleanup after 4 killed in weekend storms

When a monster nighttime tornado came roaring into the southern Oklahoma town of Sulphur, Sheila Hilliard Goodman, a grandmother and casino worker, hunkered down inside Raina's Sport Lounge with about 30 other customers in the popular downtown hangout.

2 days ago

Neighbors embrace Penny Thomsen outside of her home after multiple tornadoes ripped across the stat...

Nouran Salahieh and Robert Shackelford, CNN

At least 3 killed in Oklahoma tornado outbreak, severe storm threat active from Missouri to Texas

At least three people are dead, including an infant, after a tornado outbreak in Oklahoma overnight, as severe storms threaten more twisters, heavy rain and large hail from Missouri to Texas Sunday.

3 days ago

Debris is seen from a destroyed home northwest of Omaha, Nebraska, after a storm tore through the a...

Aya Elamroussi, CNN

Devastating tornadoes flatten homes in Nebraska and Iowa as storm threat grows ‘dangerous’ for millions

Destructive tornadoes gutted homes as they plowed through Nebraska and Iowa, and the “dangerous” weather threat escalated significantly on Saturday as tornado-spawning storms posed a risk from Michigan to Texas.

4 days ago

On April 26, 2024, a tornado outbreak occurred from central Nebraska into central Iowa, largely cen...

Nick Ingram, Jeff Martin and Heather Hollingsworth Associated Press

Residents begin going through the rubble after tornadoes hammer parts of Nebraska and Iowa

Residents began sifting through the rubble Saturday after a tornado plowed through suburban Omaha, Nebraska, demolishing homes and businesses as it moved for miles through farmland and into subdivisions, then slamming an Iowa town.

4 days ago

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: The sun rises behind the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on ...

Associated Press

When red-hot isn’t enough: New government heat risk tool sets magenta as most dangerous level

Forget about red hot. A new color-coded heat warning system relies on magenta to alert Americans to the most dangerous conditions they may see this summer.

4 days ago

Ogden River near flooding levels (Courtesy: Weber County Sheriff's Department)...

Carlysle Price

Weber County warned about potential flooding

Officials with the Ogden City Fire Department and Weber County Sheriff's Office are warning people to avoid streams and rivers in Weber County, as they are expected to run faster and fuller in correlation with spring's rising temperatures.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Side view at diverse group of children sitting in row at school classroom and using laptops...

PC Laptops

5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids

Read these tips about internet safety for kids so that your children can use this tool for learning and discovery in positive ways.

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Another big storm set to bring rain, snow in Utah; flooding possible in some areas