By now, the holiday food coma probably has worn off and you’ve successfully shoved your way through the masses of shoppers to a new big screen TV. But those Thanksgiving dinner calories won’t be shed on the slopes, as one wintry element seems to be absent: snow.
The past five days have offered record- or near-record-high temperatures. That’s expected to continue into Sunday, whose forecast calls for 71 degrees in Salt Lake City — the highest temperature ever recorded this late in the calendar year.
Steve Rogowski, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said a high-pressure ridge that moved in ahead of a storm will be responsible for smashing a record of 65 degrees set in 1995.
“Normally, it’s about 45 for a high this time of year,” Rogowski said.
The unseasonable temperatures have put a damper on the start of ski season. While Park City Mountain Resort and Brighton Ski Resort are open, they boast less than two feet of base depth and highs in the 50s.
Other resorts have opted to wait it out. Alta pushed back opening day to Friday, weather permitting. Snowbird closed after opening on Wednesday, saying it will resume activities as soon as colder weather moves in. Deer Valley plans to open Saturday.
Luckily for snow-sport enthusiasts and the businesses that depend on them, a cold front is coming.
Rogowski said Salt Lake City is expected to see a high of 60 degrees on Monday and peaks in the upper 40s Tuesday and Wednesday. Lows should settle around freezing or below.
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