The National Weather Service issued an Avalanche Warning and Winter Storm Warning for various areas through Utah.

The avalanche danger covers the Wasatch Mountains south of Interstate 80, including Alta, Solitude, Snowbird and Brighton; the western Uinta Mountains, including Hanna; and the Central Mountains, including Loa, Bryce Canyon and New Harmony.

The Winter Storm Warning covers the Wasatch Mountains, the Western Uinta Mountains and the Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs. The storm warning remains in effect until 5 p.m. Monday.

The weather service expects snowfall will exceed 24 inches with localized amounts reaching 45 inches in some areas of the southern Wasatch Range and the northeast mountains.

Snow is expected to taper off over the northern Wasatch Range in the morning, but it could remain heavy over the southern Wasatch Range and northeast mountains into the afternoon. Minor lingering snow is expected to continue into the evening.

The National Weather Service warns that driving conditions could be hazardous in those areas and urges drivers to keep a winter storm survival kit in their vehicles in case of emergency.

The Utah Avalanche Center likewise warned of high avalanche dangers in parts of Provo and the Western Uinta Mountains.

The heavy, dense snowfall weighed down an unstable snowpack in the Uintas. That combination could lead to "large, dangerous and possibly deadly human triggered avalanches" on steep slopes, especially those facing north, the avalanche center warned.

The Provo area mountains also were on alert. That danger also was due to a thin and weak snowpack beneath the new heavy snow, which has doubled the total snowpack depths in some places.

Back-country travelers were warned to stay clear of slopes approaching 35 degrees or steeper.

The avalanche danger was less, but still considerable, in other areas through northern Utah near Salt Lake City, Ogden and Logan. Farther south, Manti and Moab also faced considerable avalanche threats.