Christmas weather forecast: NWS issues Winter Storm Watch

SOUTHERN UTAH — The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a “Winter Storm Watch” for the western two-thirds of Utah and southwest Wyoming in effect from late Wednesday through Friday morning.

Affected area

The mountains of Utah, Uinta County in southwest Wyoming and the valleys of western Utah except Dixie. More particularly:

Cache Valley Utah portion, northern Wasatch Front, Salt Lake and Tooele valleys, southern Wasatch Front, Great Salt Lake Desert and mountains, Wasatch Mountain Valleys, Wasatch Mountains I-80 North, Wasatch Mountains South of I-80, western Uinta Mountains, Wasatch Plateau Book Cliffs, Sanpete Sevier Valleys, west central Utah, southwest Utah, central mountains, southern mountains, southwest Wyoming including the cities of Logan, Smithfield, Brigham City, Ogden, Bountiful, Salt Lake City, Tooele, Lehi, Provo, Nephi, Wendover, Snowville, Huntsville, Park City, Heber City, Woodruff, Randolph, Alta, Brighton, Mirror Lake Highway, Scofield, Manti, Richfield, Delta, Fillmore, Beaver, Cedar City, Milford, Cove Fort, Koosharem, Fish Lake, Loa, Panguitch, Bryce Canyon and Evanston.

Dots denote affected area at radar time 9:55 a.m., Utah, Dec. 23, 2014 | Image courtesy of the National Weather
Dots denote affected area at radar time 9:55 a.m., Utah, Dec. 23, 2014 | Image courtesy of the National Weather | Click on photo to enlarge

Snow accumulations

Amounts of 4 to 8 inches in valleys with 12 to 24 inches on mountains by midday Friday.

Timing

Snow will begin late Wednesday night and spread across the area by early Thursday. The snow will continue through Thursday afternoon then turn showery in the evening. Snow showers will persist into Friday over the northern and central mountains as well as the northwest valleys.

Impacts

Accumulating snow will create winter driving conditions across much of Utah and southwestern Wyoming outside of the lower southern and eastern valleys on Christmas Day. This includes all major routes across these areas.

Precautionary preparedness actions

A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

Spotter information

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures.

For more information visit the National Weather Service website or for information regarding potential road travel impacts visit the Utah Department of Transportation website.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

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2 Comments

  • Evil twins mommy December 23, 2014 at 11:12 am

    Well let’s hope there is no tragic news awaiting anyone. Let’s hope that all the people traveling make it to their destination to be with friends and family upon this most joyous holiday. Happy Holidays everyone

  • Justme..... December 23, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    Locals never have to think about this stuff but….Cal Ranch, the larger Walmart stores and most car parts stores sell chains. They’ll be open tonight and part of tomorrow. It’s a good time to give yourself the gift of safety….chains, blankets, flashlights…before it starts snowing.

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