January Outlook

Plan on above normal precipitation for the far southern areas of Utah in January with below normal in the far north. Look for near normal temperatures for most of Utah in January with below normal temperatures for the southeast corner.

Light snow (17)

Look for light snow today into Thursday over areas of Utah with local trace-2" amounts in the valleys and 1-2" mountains.

Current snow cover

White Christmas! (16)

Another storm moves into Utah on Christmas eve with most of the widespread snow ending during the morning hours on Christmas day, a few spotty snow showers lingering over and near the mountains into the afternoon. Plan on a general 3-6" (local 8-12") of snow for most Utah mountains areas above 7,000 ft. Look for a general 1-3" (local 4-6" benches) of snow for the Wasatch front valleys. Click on the below map for the WRF model forecasted snow for this storm. Enjoy!

More snow (15)

Current significant storm will wind down today, over 4.50" water and 36" snow in places with the current storm! The next smaller but colder storm is expected to move in the second half of Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with most of the snow ending mid morning on Wednesday but there will be continued lighter snow showers at times over and near the mountains into Thursday morning. Look for trace-3" for the valleys benches with this storm, 2-5" mountains valleys, and 4-10" mountains above 7,000 ft. Click on the below map for the WRF model forecasted snow for this latest storm.

Second significant storm of the year! (14)

A very strong and moist pacific jet will bring a storm that will deliver wide spread valley rain changing to snow by Tuesday, heavy wet snow and strong winds in the mountains with snow levels rising up as high as 6,000 ft on Monday afternoon/evening along the Wasatch Front. Most of the heavy rain/snow with this strong storm is expected to end during the morning hours on Tuesday with a few lingering lighter snow showers mainly over the mountains by afternoon ahead of yet another storm on Tuesday night and Wednesday. With this first storm plan on a general 15-30" snow for most all central/northern Utah mountains above 7,000 ft, 8-14" for mountains valleys. Along the Wasatch Front things get tricky depending on when the rain changes back over to snow but plan on a general trace-2" in the valleys with local 3-8" bench areas favoring the central/southern Wasatch Front. Click on the below map for the WRF model forecasted snow between 5am Monday and 5am Wednesday, note that this does include some of the expected snow fall from the next storm.

One more small storm (13)

Look for one more round of generally light snow on Sunday night into early Monday ahead of a much larger storm that is expected to move in on Monday afternoon. Plan on a general trace-2" for the Wasatch Front valleys/benches, 3-5" for the northern Utah mountains above 7,000 ft. Click on the below picture for the WRF model forecasted snow between 5am Sunday and 5am Monday.

Small storm (12)

A small storm is expected to bring generally light snow to northern Utah on Saturday night into the early morning hours on Sunday. Plan on a general trace-2" of snow along the Wasatch Front valleys/benches focused north of Salt Lake City, 2-5" in the mountains. Click on the below map for the WRF model forecasted snow for this small storm.

Snow keeps coming (11)

A quick moving storm is expected to bring a general 3-7" of snow to the northern Utah mountains above 7,000 ft on Wednesday night, most snow ending by sunrise on Thursday. Look for a trace to 3" of snow along the Wasatch Front focused on the east benches. Click on the below picture for WRF model forecasted snow between 5am Wednesday and 5am on Friday.

Western US Snow Water Equivalent % of Normal

First significant storm of the year! (10)

The first significant winter storm of the year is forecasted to move into Utah on Sunday night, most snow ending by dark on Tuesday. Plan on a general 9-14" (16-20" Cottonwoods, 20-24"+ Oquirrh's) for most central and northern Utah mountains above 7,000 ft. Look for most Wasatch front valleys to see 2-5" with 6-8"+ benches areas, highest valley snow amounts south of the Great Salt Lake with lowest amounts in the bottom of Utah valley. Click on the below map for the WRF model forecasted snow for this storm.

First of something bigger (9)

The first of what looks to be a bigger storm on Monday pushes a cold front through Utah from northwest to southeast on Thursday evening into the morning hours on Friday. Most of the rain/snow is expected to fall with the front for a few hours, just a few scattered snow showers lingering mainly over and near the mountains behind the front through the day on Saturday with little additional accumulation. Plan on a general 2-5" (local 6-9") of snow for most central and northern Utah mountains above 7,000 ft with 1-4" for the southern and eastern Utah mountains. In the northern Utah valleys plan on a trace-1" with local 1-3" benches. Click on the below map for WRF model forecasted snow between 5am Thursday and 5am Saturday.

Active weather pattern setting up.

Just for fun take a look (click on image to make bigger) at the 5.4km WRF-GFS model forecasted snow between 5pm Monday the 7th and 5pm Tuesday the 15th. The white areas are 49"+! As of now I'm thinking up to 36" in some of the higher Utah mountain areas by this time next week.

Quick moving storm clips northern Utah (8)

A fast moving storm will clip northern Utah on Monday night as most of the snow and storm energy stays in the northern Rockies. Plan on a general 1/2-2" of snow for the central/northern Wasatch and Uinta mountains with 2-6" of snow for the Logan area mountains. Click on the below map for WRF model forecasted snow for this storm between 5am Monday and 5am Tuesday.

November Climatic Summary

Click on the below link
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/CLM/November2015_Climatic_Summary.pdf

Current Utah Snow Cover

Click on the below map for more detail.

A few light snow showers for round 2 (7)

Plan on a few snow showers at times through early Monday morning over parts of Utah with most snow falling over the Uinta mountains. Click on the below map for WRF model forecasted snow between 5am Friday and 5am Monday.

Down slope/canyon winds

Plan on general down slope/canyon winds in the 20-30 g/40 mph (local 40 g/60 mph winds) range to continue overnight into the morning hours on Thursday before they start to decrease some. Click on the attached file for forecasted winds at 2am on Friday.

Two part storm (6)

The first of a two part storm is expected to move into the state on Wednesday with most snow ending by sunrise on Thanksgiving, second part of the storm moves in over the weekend with more snow. Plan on a general 3-6" (local 7-9") for most northern Utah mountains above 7,000 ft with 1-4" for the central and southern Utah mountains. Look for local valley areas (mainly south/west desert and northern Wasatch/Logan) to see a trace-2" of snow. For more details click on the below map for the WRF model forecasted snow between 5pm Tuesday and 5pm Thursday.

Current Utah Snow Cover

December Outlook

Plan on near normal temperatures for all of Utah with near normal precipitation for most areas, above normal for the southeast corner of the state, below normal for the northern Wasatch Front.

More snow, wind. (5)

Look for snow to develop over mainly the central and northern Wasatch mountains on Thursday afternoon and continue into early Friday morning.  Plan on a general 3-6" snow for areas above 7,000 ft, 7-16" in the Logan area mountains. Click on the below image for WRF model forecasted snow for this storm.

Going south again! (4)

Another storm headed for mainly central/southern Utah with 8-16" snow expected for the Wasatch Plateau.  Click on the below image for the WRF-GFS model forecasted snow for this storm.

Smallish storm (3)

Plan on mainly lower valley rain and mountain snow to move through Utah from northwest to southeast starting on Monday afternoon in northern Utah, most rain /snow showers pushing out of southeastern Utah by Tuesday evening. Most areas look mainly dry by the second half of Tuesday night except south of the Great Salt Lake where lake effect snow showers are expected to kick in ending by mid morning on Wednesday. In general look for 2-6" for most Utah mountain areas (7-11" Oquirrh Mtns)  above 7,000 ft with this storm, local 1-3" valley snow from lake effect in the Tooele Valley and western Salt Lake Valley. Click on the below image for the WRF model forecasted snow for this storm.

Weakening storm for Utah (2)

A weakening storm is expected to move into Utah on Tuesday with valley rain and mountain snow showers, most rain/snow showers ending on Thursday morning. Temperatures do get cold enough for the rain to change to snow in the valleys along the Wasatch Front by Wednesday. Plan on a general 1-3" (local 4-8") of snow for most Utah mountains above 7,000 ft. Click on the below picture for the WRF model forecasted snow between 5pm Monday and 5pm Thursday.

October 2015 Climatic Summary

Click on the below link
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/CLM/October2015_Climatic_Summary.pdf

First base building snow of the season (1)

The first significant snow of the season is expected to fall on Thursday into Thursday night mainly over the southern Utah mountains. Plan on a general 3-6" for the southern Utah mountains mainly above 8,000 ft, look for a general 1/2-3" for the northern Utah mountains (locally 3-6" Uinta Mtns) focused above 8,000 ft. Below is the WRF model forecasted snow through 6am on Friday.

November Outlook

Plan on above normal precipitation for the southern and eastern areas of Utah with warmer than normal temperatures for the western and northern areas.

September 2015 Climatic Summary

Click on the below link
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/CLM/September2015_Climatic_Summary.pdf

El Niño Forecast for Utah

This winter is very likely going to be a El Niño winter, possibly one of the strongest on record. See the below map for precipitation anomalies during a typical El Niño winter. Go to https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/united-states-el-ni%C3%B1o-impacts-0 to see the general North America El Niño winter impact. In general weak/moderate El Niño's have no statistical impact on the Wasatch Front and northern Utah weather, slight increase towards a wet winter in Southern Utah. A strong El Niño like the one forecasted this winter do slightly increase the chance of above normal precipitation for the Wasatch Front and Northern Utah, greatly increases the chances for a wet winter in southern Utah. The last 5 strong El Niño events were 1957-1958, 1965-1966, 1972-1973, 1982-1983, and 1997-1998. In these years the Alta UDOT November through April snowfall averaged 554" which is above the long term average of 490". Not a big increase for Alta but it should be noted that many of the storms during a El Niño years come from the south which is typically not good for the Cottonwoods, much better for Sundance/Park City areas and other areas that do well in a southerly flow.

For this winter plan on 80-90% of normal for the northern Wasatch, 90-100% for the central Wasatch, 100-110% of normal for the southern Wasatch, 110-120% for central Utah, 120%+ for southern and southeastern Utah. 

October Outlook

Plan on above normal temperatures for all of Utah with above normal precipitation for the southeast areas.

August 2015 Climatic Summary

Click on the below link
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/CLM/August2015_Climatic_Summary.pdf

Southern Utah Flash Flood - August 30th 2015.

September Outlook

Plan on near normal temperatures for all of Utah with above normal precipitation.

Looking dry!

July 2015 Climatic Summary

Click on the below link
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/CLM/July2015_Climatic_Summary.pdf

August Outlook

Plan on wetter than normal conditions for all of Utah in August with below normal temperatures for most areas.

Mostly clear day picture

June 2015 Climatic Summary

Click on the below link
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/CLM/June2015_Climatic_Summary.pdf

July Outlook

Plan on near normal temperatures for much of Utah with above normal precipitation for all of the state.

Mostly clear skies

May 2015 Climatic Summary

Click on the below link
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/CLM/May2015_Climatic_Summary.pdf

May rain totals

Total precipitation between 6am on May 1st and 6am on May 31st! Click on the image for more detail.

June Outlook

Plan on the wetter than normal weather to continue in June for most of Utah with near normal temperatures.

Repeat of last weekend! (29)

Look for valley rain and high mountain snow at times Friday through mainly dark on Sunday over most areas of Utah. Plan on a general 4-8" of snow (local 8-12") mainly above 9,000 ft focused in the central Wasatch and Uinta mountains by Sunday night. Below is the WRF model forecasted snow between 6am today and 6am Monday.

Active weather continues (28)

Plan on the active wet weather to continue at times through around dark on Sunday over many areas of Utah with high mountain snow. Look for a general 4-8" of snow (local 8-12") mainly above 9,000 ft focused in the central Wasatch and Uinta mountains by Sunday night. Below is the WRF model forecasted snow between 6am today and 6am Monday.

April 2015 Climatic Summary

Click on the below link
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/CLM/April2015_Climatic_Summary.pdf

May outlook

Plan on above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation for most of Utah in May.

Valley rain and mountain snow (27)

Plan on valley rain and mountain snow to continue at times Friday into the day on Sunday. Look for a general 0.50-1.00" (local 1.00-2.00") of water for the valleys, 6-16" (local 16-22") of snow for the mountains above 8,000 ft. Click on the below image for the WRF model forecasted snow through 6am on Monday.

Windy!

Below is the HRRR model forecast winds for 3pm today, cold front is forecasted to be near the Salt Lake County/Utah County line at this time. Plan on general southerly winds increasing into the 20-30 g/45 mph range with local 30-40 g/65+ mph ahead of the front, similar northerly winds just behind the front then decreasing!

Strong cold front, mountain and valley snow (26)

A strong cold front is expected to push through the state on Tuesday with valley rain and mountain snow, turning to all snow on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning then clearing in most areas with linger mountain snow showers that end by dark on Wednesday. Plan on a general trace-1/2 for the northern Wasatch front valleys, 1/2-2" for the central/southern Wasatch front valleys and northern Wasatch Front benches, and 3-5" for local bench areas in Salt Lake/Tooele/Utah valleys. In the mountains plan on a general 6-10" of snow above 7,000 ft with local 11-16" in the Cottonwoods/Uinta's. Click on the below link for the WRF model forecasted snow for this storm.

Spring snow (25)

Plan on a general 4-7" snow above 7,000 ft with local 8-10". Below is the model forecasted snow 6am Tuesday through 6am Friday.

Light snow showers (24)

Plan on light snow showers over the central/southern Wasatch and Uinta mountains on Thursday, spotty light snow showers in the central/southern Wasatch Front valleys on Thursday morning. No accumulating snow is expected in the valleys, trace benches, up to 3" above 10,000 ft in the Uinta mountains. Below is the WRF model forecasted snow through 6pm Saturday.

March 2015 Climatic Summary

Click on the below link
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/climate/CLM/March2015_Climatic_Summary.pdf

Snow Water Equivalent % of Normal, worst I have ever seen for April 1st!

April Outlook

Plan on near normal temperatures and precipitation for the entire state in April.

Winter returns for a few days (23)

We finally have a spring storm that will bring snow (valley rain with snow mixed in as low as 4,800 ft by Tuesday evening) back to the mountains of northern and central Utah on Monday and continue at times into Tuesday night. Plan on a general 3-7" of snow mostly above 7,000 ft with local 8-12". Click on the below map for WRF model forecasted snow through 6am Wednesday.

Dismal snow cover for March 20th!

Small storm (22)

A small storm is expected to spread scattered valley rain and mountain snow showers into Utah on Wednesday night, continuing through the daylight hours on Thursday with snow mixed in as low as 6,000 ft. Look for a general tr-1" of snow above 7,000 ft with local 2-4" above 10,000 ft mainly in the Uinta's. Below is the WRF model forecasted snow through 6am Saturday.

Satellite picture showing the current snow cover