Presidents’ Day weather forecast: Expect snow and rain, icy mountain roads

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – Happy Presidents’ Day, Utah! A series of weak troughs are rolling into Northern Utah, bringing more moisture with rain and snow in the valleys and healthy snow totals to our mountain areas.

If you’re heading into the higher elevations on this holiday, plan on winter driving conditions along those higher routes. Snow levels are expected to stay mainly above 4,500 feet throughout the day today, however, heavier bursts of precipitation could bring snow down to valley floors.

Scattered moisture is expected in the northern valleys with temperatures close to seasonal highs along the Wasatch Front this afternoon and slightly above average in St. George. 

Another disturbance moves in tonight into Tuesday, bringing more widespread snow showers, especially in the mountains. By Tuesday afternoon, drier air starts creeping in, tapering off precipitation first in lower elevations, then in the mountains.

Overall, the biggest snow totals (10-20”) will hit the northern mountains, especially the Cottonwoods and Bear River Range. The Wasatch Front could see anywhere from a dusting to an inch or two, depending on how snow levels play out.

The main concern for travel is icy and snowy roads in the mountains and passes.

Beyond Tuesday, there will be a short break in the weather before another storm moves in on Wednesday. This one will start cold, favoring snow in the valleys, before warming up and switching things to a rain/snow mix.

The mountains could pick up another good helping of snowfall, depending on storm intensity. By Friday, high pressure builds in, bringing drier and warmer conditions into the weekend.

We’ll keep you posted on the latest developments in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!

• Active start to Presidents’ Day
• High Avalanche Danger could remain
• Winter weather advisories issued through noon Tuesday
• 6-12+” possible for most mountain ranges
• Valleys will see rain and snow
• Another storm late Wednesday into Thursday
• Could pack a decent punch in the mountains
• Calm weather expected to move in after