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An avalanche warning is in effect for Utah's southern mountains after overnight accumulations of heavy new snow.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the warning early Saturday. It remains in effect until Sunday, the agency said.
The Utah Avalanche Center website forecasts the risk as "considerable" and said weather reporting stations in the La Sal and Abajo Mountains had recorded at least 2 inches of new snow early Saturday. Forecasters expect between 3 to 5 inches of additional accumulation throughout the day.
Wind gusts of up to 30 mph had also been recorded in some areas, adding to unstable snow conditions for backcountry travelers, the center report said.
A winter weather advisory also remained in effect through 4 p.m. Saturday at elevations above 6,500 feet, with snow accumulations of up to 10 inches expected in the central and southern mountains, including on the Wasatch Plateau, Book Cliffs and San Rafael Swell. Elevations above 8,500 feet may see as much as 18 inches of snow, the NWS said.
Rain is forecast for areas of central and southern Utah, including Cedar City, Duchesne, Hanksville, Kanab and Price. Most of the rest of the state will see partly cloudy skies.