SALT LAKE CITY — After a relatively dry January, a weekend storm is expected to start February with a bang, bringing up to 2 feet of snow to the northern Utah mountains and rain to the valleys.
The snow and rain will begin Friday afternoon and continue through Monday in what's being described as an "atmospheric river event" by the National Weather Service.
Northern Utah valleys will likely see an increase in rain after midnight Friday.
Snow is forecast to be heavy at times and become more dense throughout the weekend, with the following totals expected:
- Northern Mountains: 1-2 feet
- Bear River Range: Up to 4 feet
- Wasatch Back: 2-5 inches
- Ogden Valley: 3-7 inches
- Bear Lake Area: 3-6 inches
- Southwest Wyoming: 2-5 inches
- Wasatch Plateau: 6-12 inches
Because of the storm, avalanche danger in the northern Utah mountains is expected to rise to high. The Utah Avalanche Center said the new snowfall will overload weak faceted snow, creating widespread avalanche danger.
Anyone planning on driving up higher elevations during the storm should be prepared for traction restrictions to be issued, as well as low visibility due to the possibility of blowing snow.
Conditions will begin to improve slightly on Monday as temperatures begin to warm up before another storm arrives mid-week.
