Utah Daily Snow

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By Evan Thayer, Forecaster Posted 6 years ago March 22, 2018

Wet and Wild

Summary

A warm and moist system will bring rain and high elevation snow to the region today thru tomorrow morning. Eventually, the colder core of this system will pass through on Sunday into early Monday bringing additional snow. High pressure and warmer/dryer conditions returns later next week.

Short Term Forecast

We've see a few showers over the past 24 hours but things are just really starting to rev up.  Over the past 45 minutes, it started raining at my place and the winds are gusting, driving the rain into the windows.  High winds and rain should continue today with snow levels creeping up to 9000 feet or even higher.  With such a saturated airmass, the snow level could match the freezing level, which right now is progged to reach 10k feet this afternoon.  That means that the lower elevations of all resorts today could be in the rain with snow confined to the very top.  High winds will also be a factor and could put lifts on hold for much of the day.  Overall, today is probably not going to be the best day for mountain recreation, unless high wind trash bag rain skiing is your thing.

You can see the simulated radar for the next 18 hours: 

You can see the persistent SW flow into Utah with plenty of precipitation.  Toward the end of this loop, you can see the cold front advancing thru eastern Nevada.  That cold front will eventually reach the Wasatch in the early morning hours of Friday.  Snow levels will drop overnight to below 7000 feet on Friday morning.  This is when the resorts can actually see some accumulation.  Amounts are extremely difficult to forecast with such a warm system where snow levels are such a critical factor.  I think by midday Friday the base elevations will only see a few inches, however the tops of the mountains above 9k feet could see 10-18".   With its high elevation and favorability in SW flow, I think Brighton might be reporting the most snow tomorrow.  

Anyway, snow tapers off by midday on Friday.  While today (Thursday) will be messy on the mountain, Friday could actually feature some fun dense snow.  

A break late Friday thru Saturday.  On Sunday, actual cold core of this system will finally push inland and into the Great Basin.  This will bring a chance for snow back to Utah.  This time, we'll have cold air to work with and snow levels will not be an issue.  Not quite sure on how organized and strong this will be, but the threat for accumulating snow will exist Sunday into Monday. 

Extended Forecast

By the middle of next week, we will dry out and warm up as high pressure takes control.  It is going to feel like Spring as we close out March and head into April.  

Evan | OpenSnow

About Our Forecaster

Evan Thayer

Forecaster

To Evan, 'The Greatest Snow on Earth' is more than just a motto - it’s a way of life. In 2010, he started Wasatch Snow Forecast as a way to share the best powder days with his fellow snow-lovers. Evan brings the same quality forecasts and weather discussions to OpenSnow and hopes you enjoy skiing/riding Utah as much as he does.

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