A fast-moving storm will sweep through the area today, with a cold front currently moving across northern Utah. Heavy snow is possible this morning, transitioning to more scattered, showery snowfall in the afternoon and evening. Unusually, snow accumulations may peak in the mid-elevations of the Cottonwood Canyons rather than the higher elevations, due to stronger low-level winds over the Salt Lake Valley and faster drying at upper elevations. Winds will shift from southwesterly to breezy west-northwest behind the front.

As of 7 a.m., the rain/snow line sits around 8,000', with 2-5" of snow reported across the central Wasatch. Snow-water equivalents measure about 0.25". Mountain temperatures are in the mid-to-upper 20s, with west winds blowing at 20 mph and gusting to 35 mph, while the highest elevations are gusting up to 40 mph.

Today, expect rain and snowfall to peak in the morning, with showers and flurries continuing through early afternoon. Snow totals could still reach 8-14" throughout the Cottonwoods. The rain/snow line is expected to gradually drop to around 5,000'. The next storm arrives this weekend, bringing another solid round of snow.

Before this storm, snow depths ranged from 6"-18" above 8,500', with some isolated upper-elevation ridges nearing 2'. With the low sun angle, cold temperatures, and clear skies, observers have noted that the thin snowpack is starting to facet. While this isn’t a problem when the snow is at the surface, keep in mind this existing snow could become a weak layer down the line once it gets buried.