After fulfilling some people's Christmas wishes for snow, Utah's winter storm is sticking around into Friday.
Thursday night and into Friday morning, the snowfall was expected to increase over central and southern Utah, with the greatest travel impacts along Interstate 15 between Cedar City and Provo, according to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City. Accumulating snow means high elevations across Utah will experience hazardous driving conditions through Friday.
The weather service's winter storm watch expires at noon Friday. By the time the storm ends, National Weather Service forecasters predict up to 20 inches of additional snow in the mountains, with accumulations for the valley floor and benches of 3 to 10 inches.
Speaking of the mountains, the backcountry is a dangerous place right now. There is a considerable risk for avalanches in the Skyline, Uintas and Logan-area mountains on Friday, as well as a moderate risk in Salt Lake, Provo and Ogden mountains, according to the Utah Avalanche Center.
Highs in Salt Lake City are expected to remain in the low 30s Friday and into Saturday. St. George, meanwhile, can expect highs in the low 40s.
Meteorologists expect another storm to follow soon after this one, too. More snow is possible for mainly northern and western Utah starting late Saturday and through Tuesday, according to the weather service.
mmcfall@sltrib.com
Twitter: @mikeypanda
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Emmett Ford, 5, plays on the freshly fallen snow that blankets the landscape on Christmas day at Bonneville Golf Course in Salt Lake.
Mark Hansen | The Salt Lake Tribune A robin perches on snow-covered tree branches in a park in Millcreek on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014.
Mark Hansen | The Salt Lake Tribune A dog frolics in lightly falling snow in Sugar House Park on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014.
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