Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — A winter storm warning remains in effect for southern Utah's mountains until noon Saturday, but Utah ski resorts and even firefighters are thrilled with what the storm that arrived on Thursday has produced thus far.
Alta received 9 inches of snow by noon, while south and central Utah communities like Cedar City and Oak City, Millard County, each received 6 inches of snow, according to National Weather Service data.
Heavy precipitation totals were also recorded, as multiple cities across the Wasatch Front and central Utah ended up with over an inch of rain as initially projected. One station near Vernon, Tooele County ended up with 2.71 inches by 10 a.m. Friday, according to the weather service.
The storm's highest totals were expected in elevations where there are few, if any, weather stations, such as King's Peak in the West Uintas.
"This is a big, producing storm, and it's nice because we're coming off two weeks of quiet (conditions) and above-normal temperatures," said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson.
Storm impacts
The storm was particularly good news for firefighters battling wildfires in the state. The U.S. Forest Service reported Friday that crews were able to "fully suppress" the Verdure Creek Wildfire in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, establishing fire lines surrounding it.
"Suppression efforts have been aided by precipitation, cloud cover, high humidity and cool weather patterns that have moderated fire activity," the agency added.
The fire, which sparked on Sunday, burned about 157 acres about 6 miles southwest of Monticello. About 35 personnel will remain at the site to monitor the fire for now.
The agency also reported little growth for the Yellow Lake Fire in Summit County, which remains the state's largest fire this year. It remained at 33,038 acres in size at 30% containment as of Friday morning after about an inch of rain fell in the area on Thursday.
About 6 inches of snow were also reported in the region's higher elevation areas. The Forest Service reduced some of the fire closure areas within the Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache national forests, but some closures remain in place.
A command shift is planned for this weekend, as the California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 will hand off operations to a Utah Type 3 team composed of personnel from the national forests. Community meetings are still planned for this weekend in Kamas and Tabiona.
Meanwhile, resorts were also thrilled with the storm as they prepare for the upcoming ski season. Not only did many resorts receive snow, but the conditions allowed them an opportunity to fire their snow guns up to pad onto the snow totals.
"The first snow of the season has arrived, and we're in a winter wonderland! The snow guns are making snow taking advantage of the current cold and snowy temps," Brian Head Resort officials wrote.
Several resorts intend to begin operations beginning in November, conditions permitting.
There were some adverse impacts, though. A Woodland Hills resident shared with KSL.com a video of the damage to trees after a few inches of heavy, wet snow fell in the Utah County community.
Cedar City also reported "significant tree damage" from snow in southwest Utah. It advised residents cleaning up to dump their tree branches at Bulloch Pit (1050 N. Lund Highway) or to pile their tree branches on the curb in front of their property for Cedar City public works crews to collect next week.
Weekend forecast
Some additional showers are possible through the end of the weekend.
Johnson said parts of southern and southeastern Utah are more likely to receive rain and snow through Saturday and possibly into Sunday as the core of the low-pressure system moves south into Arizona and then bounces toward the Four Corners.
The system's projected pathway is expected to produce potentially gusty conditions up to the Wasatch Front. The National Weather Service issued high wind warnings for southwest Utah and northern Wasatch Front, where eastern winds could create wind gusts of up to 60-65 mph through Saturday morning.
The agency also issued a handful of freeze warnings that include parts of northern Utah and the Wasatch Front, where low temperatures could drop below the freezing point in cities like Brigham City, Payson, Provo and Roosevelt between Friday night and Saturday morning.
Temperatures will be cold enough to potentially kill crops and sensitive vegetation and potentially damage any unprotected outdoor plumbing, the weather service notes.
Warmer temperatures are on the horizon — though not as warm as before the cold front arrived. High temperatures along the Wasatch Front will remain in the 60s over the weekend before rising back into the 70s through midweek. High temperatures in St. George are forecast to return to the mid-80s midweek.
The National Weather Service's Climate Precipitation Center now projects Utah may not experience another storm until potentially the end of October, meaning next week will likely remain dry.
Full seven-day forecasts for areas across Utah can be found online, at the KSL Weather Center.
