Strong wind and rain in the weekend forecast; snow line expected to rise

SR 248 near the Park City Hospital in a winter snowstorm. Photo: TownLift // Kevin Cody

PARK CITY, Utah — While some will enjoy the warmer temperatures, all will not love the accompanying rain. Many Utah ski resort base areas will see mixed precipitation as the snow line is expected to rise as high as 8,500 feet on Saturday.

The upper elevations of the cottonwoods could see 15 inches of snow but also face extreme winds with gusts of 95 mph. Lower elevations will also see high winds of up to 55 mph. As a result, both Alta Ski Area and Snowbird will close early at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory that could last into the evening on Friday. Earlier in the day, 72 mph was observed on I-80 at SR-201 in western Utah.

⚠Wind Advisories have been expanded to include the Northern Wasatch Front and Eastern Box Elder County. This includes the cities of Brigham City, Snowville, and Ogden.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph are expected through the afternoon. Be sure to secure any loose objects! #utwx pic.twitter.com/AruPFnRWJb

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) March 10, 2023

A  Winter Storm Warning is also in place until 5 a.m. on Saturday. Visibility is expected to be a problem for those traveling, as well as falling tree branches. Park City is forecasted to receive a little over two inches in liquid equivalent in total.

📢You may have heard that rain is forecast. This means rain will fall on snow for some.
What can you do in preparation?
❄️Make sure window wells are free from any snow
⚠️If you notice any debris blocking drains, remove the debris so water can freely move through. #UTwx pic.twitter.com/UT2kyMxZGP

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) March 9, 2023

🌧Rain is expected for valleys this afternoon, with snow levels rising to as high as 8500ft across northern Utah.

❄Snow levels will then drop with the passage of cold front late this evening, with valleys transitioning to snow as the cold front pushes southward. #utwx #wywx pic.twitter.com/5aDLdSZ6Y3

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) March 10, 2023

The current avalanche forecast has a considerable rating for the Salt Lake Area Mountains at all elevations and face orientations. The high winds will lead to unstable slabs and wind-drifted snow. The addition of rain could make the snowpack unconsolidated and prone to break. The UAC’s report calls today’s conditions dangerous. In addition, expect closures for avalanche mitigation in many areas, such as the cottonwoods.