A series of storms that cleared Utah's air this week have left only modest snow accumulations in southern Utah. But that will change today with the arrival of a new moisture-soaked system from the Pacific.
"The mountains in southern and central Utah are going to get hammered," said Mike Conger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, who predicted the storm will drop up to three feet of snow in the mountains.
Snow was falling in Cedar City Thursday afternoon. A winter storm warning for heavy snow is in effect for central Utah through this afternoon when the storm will continue its journey north.
He said the entire state is likely to see precipitation in the form of rain, snow or rain-snow mix. Conger said this system could linger for 36 hours. And another one could move in by mid-week.
Northern Utah's Wasatch Front could see two to three inches in the valley floors, with up to six inches possible along benches by Sunday. More than two feet of snow could fall in northern mountains. A winter storm warning for heavy snow and strong winds is in effect for the region through 11 a.m. Sunday.
The Utah Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche watch for all Utah mountains. Recent or expected snowfall amounts will create unstable conditions on weak layers of old snow.
Highs will range from around 40 degrees today to the low 30s on Sunday as cold air swoops in behind the front. Lows will be in the low 20s.
In Southern Utah, a flash flood watch has been issued for San Juan County, where plentiful snow is expected in the La Sal and Abajo mountains and up to six inches may drop in Monticello and Blanding.
Moab may get a skiff of snow, but will mainly be doused by a snow-rain mix.
Weekend temperatures in the St. George area will range from highs in the mid-40s to lows in the low 30s.
UDOT spokesman Kevin Kitchen said workers in the 14-county region of southern Utah are geared up for clearing roads wherever needed.
Kitchen said plows were battling drifting snows between Mammoth Creek and Brian Head on Thursday afternoon on State Route 143, crossing the mountains between Parowan and Panguitch,
Henry Hornberger, vice president and general manager of Brian Head Resort in southwestern Utah's Iron County, was looking forward to a big snow dump.
"What we've been getting is a good thing, but not the five feet [forecasters] keep talking about," said Hornberger.
