Tuesday brings a dusting of snow to the Wasatch Front

SALT LAKE CITY — Whether you're excited about the sightings of powder to come or frustrated at the prospect of scraping snow off your car windshield for the next few months, a small storm hit the Wasatch Front Tuesday morning.

KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson said the rain has turned to snow for most of the Wasatch Front and accumulations will be around 1 inch, with some bench areas getting about 2 inches or more.

But for those who are enjoying it and those who aren't, Johnson said the snow should start around midnight.

“I think most of us will be dry through this afternoon and beyond,” Johnson said.

In the mountains, the forecast predicts 3 to 8 inches of accumulation, with slightly more relief in the Cottonwood Canyons, about 5 to 10 inches.

Fresh snow has forced the traction law for Little Cottonwood Canyon, the Utah Department of Transportation posted on social media Tuesday morning.

road restrictions
Both directions SR 210 MP 4-13 (mouth of Ltl Cottonwood) Salt Lake Co.
Approved traction equipment required for all vehicles
For updates: https://t.co/jaVMw7e9Jm

— UDOT Traffic (@UDOTTRAFFIC) 12 November 2024

As for other traffic questions, UDOT expects wet roads.

“All lower elevation routes and most of I-15 will become lightly wet. Some bench routes and lower canyons may see light sleet over a 2-3 hour period as the front moves in after sunrise,” UDOT said in a weather warning. “All upper canyons and summits/passes in the state will see more than a few inches of snow on roads throughout the morning. In the case of the Cottonwood Canyons, the middle canyon area will see more snow than the upper canyon.”

As far as central and southern Utah, UDOT said parts of I-15 in the Cove Fort area and I-70 in the southern part of the state will be cold enough to see snow and sleet on the roads in the morning.

But by 3 p.m., most of the precipitation will taper off, and by afternoon, there will be light snow in the mountains, especially in northern Utah.

In addition to the snow, UDOT said “significant downslope winds” are expected on State Route 10 in Castle County between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. today, with northwest winds over 40 mph.

While the second half of Tuesday should be dry, Johnson said the next storm is expected Saturday as a rain/snow mix.