Salt Lake City, Utah – A noticeable shift toward milder and drier winter weather is expected across Utah beginning Thursday, with temperatures trending above normal while precipitation chances fall below average through early next week.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, Utah is forecast to experience above-normal temperatures from Thursday through Monday, paired with below-normal precipitation. This pattern marks a break from the more active storm tracks that often bring frequent snow and colder conditions to the region in mid-January.
Along the Wasatch Front, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, and Logan, residents can expect quieter weather with fewer storm systems and milder daytime temperatures. Overnight lows will also trend warmer than typical, limiting widespread hard freeze concerns in valley locations. Periods of haze or valley inversions may develop during calmer stretches, especially during the morning hours.
Northern and central Utah, including Tooele, Park City, Heber City, and Vernal, will also see reduced precipitation chances. While mountain temperatures remain cold enough for winter conditions, the lack of storm activity may slow snowpack accumulation across the Wasatch, Uinta, and central mountain ranges. Ski travel disruptions are expected to be less frequent compared to a typical January stretch.
Southern Utah, including Cedar City, St. George, and Kanab, is expected to remain dry with temperatures running above seasonal averages. Daytime conditions may feel noticeably milder, especially under sunny skies, while nights remain cool but manageable.
Major travel corridors such as Interstate 15, Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 89, and U.S. Highway 191 are expected to see generally favorable conditions during this period, with fewer weather-related slowdowns.
While the warmer and drier pattern may be welcome for travel and outdoor plans, water managers and recreation interests will continue monitoring snowpack trends if this setup persists. For now, the mild and dry pattern is expected to hold into early next week, with a potential return to more active weather beyond this timeframe.
