Shifted

As is typical, when you think there is confidence in a forecast solution things change. And indeed things have shifted... Timing of some impacts have been pushed back by 4-6 hours, while others have decreased in intensity and duration. 

Snow totals as of 0819 MST 1/8/2026

A less than impressive performance so far from this talked about "storm". Anywhere from wet grass and roads to 0.5-1" of snow accumulation so far across the SL valley. Temperatures never cooled as fast as forecasted and energy and moisture associated with the trough has become a bit more unconsolidated than anticipated. All these factors have led to underwhelming Wasatch Front valley snow totals this morning. The mountains have done alright, with 6-10" so far at the Cottonwood resorts.

GOES-19 East Mid-Level Water Vapor imagery with 500 mb heights, winds, and vorticity overlaid

The main cold front looks to pass over norther Utah by mid-morning Thursday - originally forecasted in the predawn hours -, filtering in some cooler air. Behind this cold front, temperatures will hover near freezing in the northern valleys through the remainder of the day. Another wave of snow showers will fill in behind the front and as the trough axis approaches the area, with a low threat for lake effect snow setting up come late afternoon and early evening when the coldest temps arrive. Mid-level flow is currently NW with additional moisture, so the potential for terrain induced moderate to heavy snow is possible in the Wasatch at times through the day. 

Additional snow accumulations in the SL Valley will likely be light, due to the daytime nature of shower activity, unless heavier rates occur. Models have been trending all over the place with the remainder of the storm - or I guess technically not trending - and as they say "the trend is your friend", so plenty of uncertainty still remains. The mountains are still on track to get anywhere from 10-20", but for the valley accumulations I will just let the remainder of the storm ride out instead of trying to crystal ball any further.