Salt Lake City, UT – Snowfall in the Uinta Mountains was revealed Tuesday morning, not by hikers or drivers, but by satellites orbiting hundreds of miles above Utah.
According to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, standard satellite imagery made it difficult to distinguish whether the bright white covering over the Uintas was snow or lingering cloud cover. The GOES West satellite’s GeoColor view showed a large white area, leaving forecasters unsure of what was happening at ground level.
By applying a different analysis tool—known as Day Cloud Phase RGB—meteorologists were able to confirm that the bright green shading seen in the image represented snow already on the ground. This technique works by blending multiple wavelengths of light into an artificially colored picture, separating bare ground, cloud types, and snow.
The discovery highlights how modern weather satellites provide critical insights beyond what the human eye can detect. While the Uintas often see early-season snow due to their higher elevation, this confirmation helps forecasters better assess local conditions and communicate hazards such as slippery backcountry trails and icy roads in mountain passes.
Residents planning travel through northern Utah are advised to monitor conditions closely this week, as higher elevations may remain snow-covered even as lower valleys stay dry.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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