This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
No snow on the forecast horizon, above-normal temperatures and mostly clear skies above: it's difficult to believe Utah is in the depths of winter.
The National Weather Service predicts northern Utah's high temperatures will be in the upper-40s, approaching 50 relatively balmy degrees, while the mercury will climb into the low 60s in the southern half of the state through Friday. Forecasters say those readings are roughly 10 degrees warmer than normal.
Specifically, Salt Lake City's high temperatures were forecast to reach 48 degrees Wednesday and Thursday, respectively; Ogden looked for 46s; Provo 54 and 53; Logan 46 and 43; Wendover 43 and 44; Duchesne 35s; Wendover 43 and 44; Duchesne 35s; Cedar City 57 and 54; St. George 61 and 60; and Moab 49s.
The Utah Avalanche Center warned that the risk for dangerous snow slides was in the "red" or high category for the western Uintas, while Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake City and Provo rated "orange" or considerable risk ratings. Moab, meanwhile, earned a "green" or low avalanche danger grade.
Air quality for the state was a mixed bag going into the latter part of this week. Salt Lake City, Davis and Weber counties were looking for "yellow" or compromised air quality grades for Thursday, after having "green" or satisfactory assessments on Wednesday. The state Division of Environmental Quality rated Box Elder, Cache, Tooele, Utah and Uintah counties as "green" both days.