Light snow may affect Thursday morning commutes in high elevations

Light snow will dust the valleys and line the mountain benches Wednesday night, possibly sticking around long enough to affect some travel Thursday morning.

Most likely, only roads in higher elevations and mountain passes will be affected, the National Weather Service said.

Snow is expected to accumulate from a “trace” to 2 inches in valleys, 1 to 3 inches on mountain benches, 6 to 10 inches in the northern mountains and 8 to 14 inches in the central mountains, the NWS said.

The entire state was issued a hazardous weather outlook Wednesday as precipitation was expected to increase in the afternoon for the western two-thirds of the state and continue through the night. Along with the snow, a cold front will move in, according to the NWS. Snow is expected to continue into Thursday afternoon, especially along the Interstate 15 corridor.

Lower temperatures and additional snowfall are expected early next week as well, the NWS said.

The eastern third of the state can expect some fog early in the day Wednesday and light precipitation in higher elevations. Snowfall will increase in the mountains Wednesday night, and winter storm warnings and advisories will be in effect from Wednesday evening to Friday morning.

“The next chance for any significant precipitations looks to be Monday morning,” the NWS said.

Residents near Salt Lake City can expect partly sunny skies Wednesday with highs in the lower 50s and a 20 percent chance of rain in the afternoon with winds from 10 to 20 mph. There will be a 60 percent chance of precipitation — rain and snow — in the evening, with accumulations estimated at 1 inch. Temperatures will drop into the lower 30s.

On Thursday, there will be a 50 percent chance of snow with cloudy skies in the morning turning to partly sunny as highs climb into the mid-40s.

In St. George, skies Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain in the morning and afternoon. Highs will reach the mid-50s and then drop into the upper 30s overnight. There is a 40 percent chance of rain Wednesday night.

On Thursday, skies will remain mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain in the morning and will be partly cloudy in the afternoon. Highs will again reach the mid-50s.

For more detailed weather information, visit The Salt Lake Tribune’s weather page: www.sltrib.com/weather.