First storm of spring to drop a foot of snow across the Wasatch

Last chance for cold powder before way above normal temps take hold next week

PARK CITY, Utah – A mild winter storm is approaching from the west even as days grow noticeably longer following the vernal equinox that marked the start of spring. Snow levels will rise to nearly 6,500 feet Friday and overnight into Saturday until a weak cold front moves into Utah late Saturday morning.

Snow in the higher terrain should begin afternoon Friday in the southwest flow, shifting to more west-northwest overnight into Saturday. Snowfall will begin to taper off Saturday night, with snow showers remaining in upper Little Cottonwood. In general, this will be a warmer storm with less snow accumulation than the recent March storms we’ve had. Park City may receive 1 – 3 inches of snow in town overnight Friday into Saturday.

Forecast mountain snow totals through Saturday night

• Park City / Deer Valley: 3-7”
• Alta/Snowbird (LCC): 8-14”
• Brighton/Solitude (BCC): 6-10”
• Snowbasin/Powder Mtn: 4-8”

Temperatures remain mild in the immediate wake of the storm on Sunday but quickly shift into high gear by Tuesday reaching 10-15 degrees above normal. High pressure and warm temps dominate through at least Thursday, with a chance of a storm Friday.

Current snowpack

Statewide, total snowpack is above normal after the recent barrage of storms that we’ve received in March, with northern Utah basins reporting over 110%. Southern Utah basin snow water equivalents (SWE) were absolutely dismal before the ‘Miracle March’ kicked in, reporting roughly only 20 – 30% of normal of the 30-year average. Alta receives an average of over 70” of snow in April, so there is still quite some time to keep adding to the snowpack at upper elevation locations.