It Rained - Snow Incoming

Low stratocumulus clouds hang over the Wasatch Front this morning as the punchy system from yesterday exits the state to the east. The center of the circulation can be seen in western Colorado in the visible satellite imagery below. The combination of some light cold air advection and wet bulbing yesterday evening brought snow levels down around 5000-5500' for a short period. I think only some light and temporary accumulations were observed along the higher bench areas. Otherwise, temperatures actually warmed from the low 30s in the valleys last night to the upper 30s and low 40s this morning. Likely due to end of the precip.

GOES-18 East True Color imagery 3/3/2026. Image is centered over the northern half of Utah.

All said and done, the northern valleys received - at least in Utah standards - a healthy amount of rainfall. It was truly a rainy day yesterday, which is rare in these parts. Total precip totals for the northern half of the SL valley up through Cache valley came out to 0.75-1.5". The northern and central Wasatch mountains received 1-2"+ of liquid and about 6-10" of snow, generally > 7000'. 

Snow and precipitation totals (in) for the Wasatch Mtns

This morning the rain/snow has ended and conditions have largely dried out in the lower elevations. Some lingering light snow showers continue in the mountains, but these will dissipate as the morning goes on. A mix of clouds and sun are expected for the late morning into the afternoon across the northern tier of the state. Temperatures should warm into the upper 40s and low 50s for the Wasatch Front valleys. 

The Next Storm

Timeline of Utah weather events 3/3-3/11/2026

A transient ridge will build over Utah Tuesday through Wednesday, bringing dry and mild conditions back to the state. Temperatures will likely top out in the low 60s F (10+ degrees above normal) for the Wasatch Front valleys  on Wednesday, due to a bit of warm air advection out ahead of the next storm. The next storm is sitting out in the Gulf of Alaska at the moment. It will progress southeast into the PNW on Wednesday before sliding down into the Great Basin and across Utah by Wednesday night into Thursday morning. 

GOES-19 West True Color imagery 3/3/2026. Location of storm/center of circulation and approximate trajectory overlaid.

This looks to be a colder storm than the one the previous few days, with maritime polar airmass characteristics. A somewhat substantial cold front looks to slide across northern Utah Wednesday night, dropping 700 mb temps to -9 to -10 C by Thursday. These temperatures will translate into snow levels falling down to valley floors at times, with rain/snow and snow showers expected Thursday. However, truly cold air will be lacking near the surface, so snow accumulations in the valleys will likely only be minor grassy/raised accumulations and temporary. Temperatures Thursday afternoon will be in the low 40s for most valley locations. If showers keep up through Thursday evening, some minor additional valley accumulations are possible, but nothing significant. 

ECMWF 12Z 3/3/2026 four-panel forecast 3/3-3/7/2026: (Top left to bottom right) MSLP, 1000-500 mb thickness, and precipitation type; 300 mb gph and winds; 700 mb gph, RH, temp, and winds 

For the Wasatch mountains, this storm could provide a decent amount of liquid and more efficient snow making due to the colder temperatures and directionality. There looks to be a period northwesterly flow associated with this storm on Thursday, which could provide a period of enhanced orographic lift for  favored mountain locations (Cottonwoods). The mountains always seem to over perform if the northwesterly flow sets up. Ensemble models are putting total liquid amounts in the range of 0.5-1+" for the mountains. Going off of the 700 mb temps during the storm (-8 to -10 C), this could potentially translate into snow to water ratios of 15:1 to 20:1 and 10-20" of snow in the mountains > 7000'. 

ECMWF ENS 00Z 3/3/2026 Total Precipitation (in) for Alta, UT

This storm could provide a healthy dosing of snow to the Wasatch, if it comes together nicely. Some uncertainty still remains about how the storm translates across the state, which will impact the period winds remain northwesterly. There are some signs that the trough could close off a bit as it digs south, which would disrupt the stream of moisture and cooler air over Utah. Conditions look to dry out by Friday, as the storm shears and splits, with one circulation moving to the southwest and the other progressing to the east. 

Long Range

Conditions warm up again for this weekend, with temperatures moderating each day. Very mild weather returns by Monday as winds increase out of the south ahead of the next potential storm sometime between 3/10-3/11/2026. Confidence is still low on this storm, but it could bring another shot of colder air and possibly some moisture. TBD...