More advisories, warnings issued as another round of snow set to arrive in Utah

 If you felt Utah didn’t get enough snow last week, another round of the “greatest snow on Earth” is heading to Utah on Tuesday, through Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service again issued a slew of winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories for a storm that is expected to provide totals up to 1 to 2 feet of snow in the mountains across the state, as well as dump a few inches of snow across valleys statewide.

The storm heading into Utah now is a bit different from last week’s storm, said KSL meteorologist Kevin Eubank. The system is moving from California, through Nevada into Utah, and not from the northwest. He said strong winds across the state, resulting in gusts up to 89 mph in Ogden Peak, are expected to continue into the first half of Tuesday ahead of the storm.

Rain is expected to arrive in the state Tuesday afternoon ahead of a cold front that brings snow as it sweeps through the state.

“By (Tuesday) night, it changes over to snow. We get a quick burst in the overnight through early Wednesday morning and then it all moves out,” he said. “Highs will be in the 30s, lows will be in the teens.”

The weather service offices in Salt Lake City and Grand Junction, Colorado, issued winter storm warnings that cover different parts of the state, beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday morning. The various alerts cover high-elevation areas from Logan Summit through the southern mountains and into eastern Utah.

Alta, Alton, Brian Head, Brighton, Cove Fort, Dutch John, Fish Lake, Joes Valley, Manila and Scofield are among the communities listed in the warnings.

The Salt Lake City office updated its warning for the western part of the state Tuesday morning. It states the Wasatch, Western Uinta, Central and Southern mountains ranges are all expected to receive 1 to 2 feet. The Abajo and La Sal Mountains in southeast Utah, as well as high-elevation areas in northeast Utah, are still forecast to receive 8 to 14 inches, according to warnings issued by the Grand Junction office.

Wind gusts up to and over 50 mph are expected, as well. Travel in Utah’s higher-elevated areas is expected to range from “very difficult to impossible,” according to the weather service. Meteorologists added that the wind gusts have the ability to “significantly reduce visibility” at times.

“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” the agency advises for areas within the warning.

Valleys are again forecast to receive snow, as well. The winter weather advisory covers most of the remaining parts of the state from Logan to Cedar City. The advisories begin at 11 p.m. Tuesday and expire late Wednesday morning.

The Salt Lake City office also adjusted snow accumulation totals within its winter weather advisory Tuesday morning. It now advises that 1 and 4 inches of snow are expected in valleys along the Wasatch Front, Cache, Tooele, central and southern region, and 3 to 6 inches along the eastern benches by the mountains.

Another 3 and 6 inches are expected by Bryce Canyon National Park, while 1 to 3 inches are expected in other parts of south-central Utah, like Circleville, Koosharem, Panguitch, Richfield, Salina and Springdale.

“The heaviest snowfall is expected late Tuesday evening through Tuesday night, which will likely impact the Wednesday morning commute,” the alert states.

Travel impact

Westbound I-80 closed for about an hour mid-morning Tuesday due to a semitruck being blown over west of Tooele, with only minor injuries reported, according to the Utah Department of Transportation. UDOT warned of delays and urged drivers to consider using an alternate route if possible.

More strong crosswinds are also expected in Tooele County and parts of western Utah on Tuesday.

The Utah Department of Transportation urges drivers to use a “high” level of caution driving on I-15 from the Utah-Idaho state line to Washington County on Tuesday evening through early Wednesday afternoon. The same level of caution is advised for drivers on I-80 and I-84 for areas from the Wasatch Mountains eastward.

Avalanche risk ‘considerable’

For those heading into the mountains for recreation, the Utah Avalanche Center currently lists Utah’s mountains as having “considerable” risk for avalanches.

Salt Lake County Emergency Management officials wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday that avalanches 1 to 3 feet deep can be triggered in some parts of a mountain.

“Areas of considerable danger exist on all steep northwest to east-facing slopes at the mid and upper elevations,” the post read. “This terrain is to be avoided. … Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry. Sensitive hard and soft wind drifts are likely to develop in steep terrain over the next 24 hours. Natural avalanches will be possible with extensive wind drifting.”

Not over yet

But that’s not the end of the snow this week. Eubank said another storm is currently forecast to arrive in northern Utah on Thursday, likely impacting morning commutes.

The forecast may provide travel headaches but bodes well for the statewide snowpack. The Natural Resources Conservation Service reported that Utah’s snowpack is at 56% of normal as of Monday evening.

“The mountains are refreshing and that’s a good thing,” Eubank said.

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

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Source:
https://www.ksl.com/article/50311117/more-advisories-warnings-issued-as-another-round-of-snow-set-to-arrive-in-utah