Salt Lake City, UT – Utah is preparing for an active stretch of winter weather from December 18–24, with NOAA’s long-range outlook showing above-normal precipitation statewide and temperatures trending near normal. This pattern strongly favors heavy mountain snow, valley snow at times, and potential travel slowdowns as Christmas Eve approaches.
According to NOAA, the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains—including Park City, Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, Heber City, and the Cottonwood Canyons—will see the highest snow totals. Multiple disturbances between December 19–23 may bring moderate to heavy snowfall, with near-whiteout conditions possible at summit elevations. Travel through Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, Parleys Canyon, and Logan Canyon may be significantly impacted.
Across the Wasatch Front, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Provo, precipitation may begin as rain or a rain–snow mix early in the period, as temperatures hover near freezing. Colder air arrives from December 21–24, turning most precipitation to accumulating snow, with several inches possible in some valley locations.
In central Utah—including Price, Ephraim, Richfield, and Nephi—temperatures fluctuate enough for rain–snow transitions, but colder nights may bring slick conditions and patches of freezing drizzle, especially December 19–21.
Southern Utah, including Cedar City, St. George, and Kanab, trends warmer, favoring rain in lower elevations. Higher terrain areas—such as Brian Head and the Markagunt Plateau—could see significant snow during the same period.
Major travel routes—including I-15, I-80, U.S. 6, U.S. 89, and Highway 189—may face snow-packed roads, icy bridges, avalanching risk in mountain zones, and slowdowns, especially December 21–24.
