SALT LAKE CITY — Just when you thought winter might be wrapping up, a massive storm has arrived in Utah Tuesday, bringing snow, rain and freezing temperatures to most of the state.
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Winter storm warnings were put in place for many counties including the Salt Lake Valley from Tuesday at 5 p.m. to Wednesday at 11 p.m. Click here to see all weather alerts in place across Utah.
The storm rolled into the state Tuesday with rain in the early afternoon that later turned to snow during the evening commute. Officials had urged Utahns to leave early from work, and told residents to stay home Wednesday if possible.
For those headed into the canyons, the traction law was put in place for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons on Tuesday morning before the snow began to fall.
CLOSINGS: Click here to find out what schools have implemented delays and cancellations
Snowy weather is now spreading into the mountains of central and southern Utah overnight on Tuesday.
The storm will linger through Wednesday and is predicted to wrap up by Thursday morning for most mountain areas.
In total, it's expected that the Wasatch Mountains and Western Uinta Mountains will receive two to three feet of snow from the storm and Central and Southern Mountains may get one to two feet of fresh powder.
A backcountry avalanche warning has been issued for the mountains and foothills of northern Utah, including the northern Wasatch range, the Bear Lake Valley, and the foothills surrounding Cache and Bear Lake valleys until 6 a.m. Wednesday.
For valleys, especially benches and including the Wasatch Front, it's expected about six to twelve inches of snow will fall.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: Click here to track the storm as it moves across Utah
Snow isn't the only weather precaution Utahns should prepare for. Gusty winds of 58 miles per hour and more will develop across the state ahead of a cold front that will bring freezing temperatures.
Already on Monday morning, wind gusts of 59 miles per hour were reported in the Evanston area.
The National Weather Service said everyone should be prepared for "several days of travel disruptions and potential power outages."
The Utah Department of Transportation warned drivers that the storm will heavily impact commutes, especially Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
Experts recommend that residents in southern and central Utah secure outdoor furniture, trampolines, garbage cans and other loose objects so they don't fly away in the wind.
Over the weekend, northern Utah mountains received several inches of snow, with the NWS reporting Alta and Brighton got six inches.
