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- Lake-effect snow may impact some of northern Utah's Tuesday morning commutes.
- Winter weather advisories are issued for parts of the Wasatch Front and Wasatch Backcountry.
- Up to 2 inches of snow possible in the valleys, which could produce slick roads and reduced visibility in some areas.
SALT LAKE CITY — A storm that arrived in Utah on Monday has already delivered 7 inches of new snow in places like Cherry Peak in the northern Wasatch Mountains, and at least an inch in multiple lower-level communities, but lake-effect snow could produce more of a travel impact in the valleys Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service issued a few winter weather advisories for parts of the Wasatch Front and Wasatch Backcountry from 9 p.m. Monday to 11 a.m. Tuesday, where multiple inches of snow are possible. Bountiful, Heber City, Huntsville, Park City and Ogden are communities included in the advisories.
Most of the snow that has already fallen remains in northern Utah, as the core of the low-pressure system swings through Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson. As of noon Monday, the southern end of the system had already delivered about an inch of snow in communities like Layton, Logan and Park City, with higher amounts in the mountains.
Utah Department of Transportation cameras showed snow covering Logan's Main Street Monday morning. Johnson said some pop-up showers behind a cold front are expected to continue throughout the day across Utah's northern half as the system moves east.
The way the system is set up, meteorologists add that lake-effect snow off of the Great Salt Lake is "likely to develop" along the northern Wasatch Front and Wasatch Backcountry at times between late Monday and Tuesday morning. While not included in the advisory, they note these bands could impact the northern end of Salt Lake County.
It's not completely clear yet if lake-effect snow will develop in the valleys. Johnson said some forecast models suggest most of any lake-effect snowfall could end up in high-elevation areas Tuesday morning.
Road Weather Alert:
— UDOT Traffic (@UDOTTRAFFIC) November 18, 2024
Northern mtn snow showers cont. at times tonight - TUE AM, bringing periods of light road snow. Lake effect snow showers also possible between Layton & north SLC, causing slick roads for AM commute. For more information visit: https://t.co/QrWh3RKePZ…#UTWXpic.twitter.com/BYGa4YWnwm
UDOT meteorologists said the storms could be "disorganized and not overly impressive," likely impacting Davis County, as well as the southern end of Weber County and the northern end of Salt Lake County the most. Still, the advisory notes up to 2 inches of snow are possible in the valleys, while higher amounts are possible in the Wasatch Backcountry.
The weather service warns that "areas of reduced visibility and slick road conditions" are possible if lake-effect snow develops in those areas.
"Slow down if you encounter adverse weather conditions or slick roads," it wrote in a report.
Cold but sunnier conditions are forecast for most of Tuesday. High temperatures are forecast to top out near 40 degrees across the Wasatch Front and northern Utah. Johnson said drier conditions are expected to remain in place heading into the weekend, but long-range models include the possibility of more "substantial" moisture arriving either by the end of the weekend or the start of next week.
Full seven-day forecasts for areas across Utah can be found online, at the KSL Weather Center.
