Heavy Snow and High Wind in Utah, February 21 to 23, 2023

Name: Heavy Snow and High Wind in Utah, February 21 to 23, 2023
Start: 2023-02-21T06:00
End: 2023-02-23T00:00
Location: Utah

February 21 to 23, 2023 · NWS SLC · 21 events in 20 counties and zones

This snow event brought more than a foot of snow to many northern Utah valleys, with greater accumulations in the mountains. Numerous accidents were reported.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 21 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 21

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS SLC wrote it up.

This snow event brought more than a foot of snow to many northern Utah valleys, with greater accumulations in the mountains. Numerous accidents were reported.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Salt Lake City, UT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 21, 5:28 AM MST, 32 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 21, 5:28 AM MST, 32 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
528 AM MST Tue Feb 21 2023

.SYNOPSIS...A significant winter storm will impact the region
Tuesday into Thursday, with heavy snow and strong winds. Another
winter storm will impact the area, especially southern Utah,
Thursday into Friday.

&&

.SHORT TERM (Through 12Z Thursday)...As we approach one of the
more impactful winter storms in a winter full of potential
nominees, the general forecast remains on track. It's been pretty
remarkable how consistent the bulk of the guidance has been day
after day and run after run.

Morning upper air and satellite analysis indicates an upper level
low remains off the Baja California Coast. A developing long wave
trough is shifting southward into the Interior West, associated
with a stout jet max.

Storm evolution remains largely unchanged. The longwave trough
will continue to shift southward and strengthen. Upper level
diffluence coincident with a frontogenic boundary will shift into
northern Utah this afternoon. A band of moderate to heavy snow is
expected with the front, reaching Ogden around 3 PM, Salt Lake
City around 4-5 PM. While a rain/snow mix is possible at onset,
particularly in any pre-frontal showers, a quick changeover to
heavy snow is expected.

This heavy snow will unfortunately coincide with the Tuesday
evening commute along the Wasatch Front. UDOT has advised
northern Utah residents to consider leaving early to avoid
traveling during the heavy snow.

This front will gradually shift south and slowly pivot to a more
southwest to northeast orientation...and eventually slow down or
even stall for a time from roughly Beaver County to the Uinta
Basin. Upper level diffluence associated stout jet max will shift
into southern Nevada/northern Arizona/southern utah by this
evening. Lee cyclogenesis is expected to occur, with the surface
low crossing from roughly the Las Vegas area near midnight to the
western Uinta Basin during the day Wednesday.

Ultimately this stalled/slow boundary will be a transition point
between heavy snow near and north of the boundary through
Wednesday morning, and very strong winds south and east of the
boundary. As the boundary finally begins to shift eastward
Wednesday morning, snow levels will crash and most of the rest of
the state will see at least a period of moderate snow.

A few changes to the headlines today. First, upgraded the winter
weather advisory to a winter storm warning for the Great Salt Lake
Desert. This was primarily for the Dugway area and I-80 east of
Knolls. Wendover will see significantly less accumulation. Also
added Zion National Park and the Sevier Valley to the Winter Storm
Warnings.

As far as wind products...upgraded both Lower Washington County
and Zion National Park to a High Wind Warning. Also added a wind
advisory for the San Rafael Swell.

Main message is to consider leaving early for the commute across
northern Utah this evening and if you have the option to telework
or postpone travel Wednesday morning, consider doing so. If in the
windy part of this storm, secure any items that could become
projectiles. Be prepared for blowing and drifting snow along the
I-84 corridor behind the front from Tremonton to Snowville.

May need to add a winter weather advisory for St. George on the
day shift but didn't have enough confidence to issue an advisory
with this package.

Expect as the boundary shifts east, snow will continue across much
of the state through Wednesday, gradually diminishing Wednesday
evening into Thursday morning.

.LONG TERM (After 12Z Thursday)...As a winter weather event exits
the area, another will follow for Thursday. Partial clearing will
occur Thursday morning, especially for southwest Wyoming and
northern Utah. With recent snow and a broad longwave trough
overhead, the coldest morning of the week is likely. Single digits
to teens are expected for most Utah valleys. The coldest
conditions will be for southwest Wyoming, the Cache and Bear River
valleys, and the western Uinta Basin, with lows near or below
zero.

Low pressure will have established in the PacNW by Thursday
morning. Ensembles are in good agreement on the low tracking
southward during the day, which will put southwest Wyoming and
Utah in an upper diffluent flow. With the longwave trough from the
previous event still around, all precipitation will be snow
initially, including for lower Washington County. Snow is likely
starting Thursday morning. As the low digs southward near the
Pacific coast, warm air advection will eventually bring warm
enough conditions for a transition to a mix and eventually rain
for lower Washington County through Thursday. Snow accumulations
are expected to be light.

Snow will build northward through Utah during the day. Similar
dynamics are expected to last through Friday until the low closes
off near the California coast. This will bring a decrease in
precipitation chances Friday into Saturday. The low will eject
inland during the weekend, with ensembles tracking it near the
Utah and Arizona border Sunday. This will bring better snow
chances after a slight decrease in snow on Saturday. For portions
of the southern mountains, snow is likely to start Thursday
morning and last through much of Sunday. Snow accumulations within
the Pine Valley Mountains and near Brian Head will exceed 3'.

&&

.AVIATION...KSLC...Dry conditions will last through much, if not
all of the morning, with rain and eventually snow much of the
afternoon. A winter storm system will bring lowered flight
categories beginning late morning, lasting through much of
Wednesday. Initially, any precipitation will be light rain, but as
precipitation rates increase from 19-23Z, a transition to mixed
precipitation and then snow is forecast. Snow with VLIFR or LIFR
ceilings and visibility prevailing will last into Wednesday.

.REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...A cold front will track
across southwest Wyoming and Utah, bringing lowered ceilings and
visibility with snow. Snow will enter into northern Utah by 15Z
and into southwest Wyoming around 17Z. For KOGD and KPVU, any rain
initially will transition to snow during the afternoon. Ahead of
the front, strong winds, with gusts exceeding 50 knots are
expected throughout southern Utah. The front will reach this
portion of the state late Tuesday. VLIFR or LIFR conditions will
prevail for most locations when snow starts.

&&

.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...Winter Storm Warning from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MST
     Wednesday for UTZ101.

     Winter Storm Warning from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 PM MST
     Wednesday for UTZ102-104>106-113-117.

     Winter Storm Warning from 11 AM this morning to 11 PM MST
     Wednesday for UTZ103-107-109.

     Winter Storm Warning from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 AM MST
     Thursday for UTZ108-111-112.

     Winter Storm Warning until 2 AM MST Thursday for UTZ110.

     Winter Storm Warning from 11 PM this evening to 11 PM MST
     Wednesday for UTZ114>116-118-119-125.

     Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 AM MST Wednesday for
     UTZ119-126.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 5 PM MST
     Wednesday for UTZ120.

     Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 11 AM MST Wednesday
     for UTZ121-129.

     High Wind Warning from 2 PM this afternoon to 2 AM MST Wednesday
     for UTZ122.

     Winter Storm Warning from 2 AM to 11 PM MST Wednesday for UTZ122.

     High Wind Warning from 2 PM this afternoon to 3 AM MST Wednesday
     for UTZ123-124.

     Winter Storm Warning from 3 AM to 11 PM MST Wednesday for UTZ124.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 11 PM this evening to 5 PM MST
     Wednesday for UTZ126-127.

     High Wind Warning from 2 PM this afternoon to 11 AM MST
     Wednesday for UTZ127-128-130-131.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to 11 PM MST Wednesday for
     UTZ128.

WY...Winter Storm Warning from 2 PM this afternoon to 11 PM MST
     Wednesday for WYZ021.

&&

Kruse/Wilson

For more information from NOAA's National Weather Service visit...
http://weather.gov/saltlakecity

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

18 heavy snow, 3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Great Salt Lake Desert and Mountains

When: February 21, 6:00 AM MST to February 22, 5:00 PM MST
Where: Great Salt Lake Desert and Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 40.689, -112.452 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snow water equivalent of 2.70 inches, or approximately 38 inches of snow, was recorded at Bevans Cabin. Other snow water equivalent values include 2.50 inches at Mining Fork, 2.30 inches at Rocky Basin, 1.70 inches at Vernon Creek, and 1.50 inches at Dry Fork, with snowfall amounts raning from 21 to 35 inches.

Heavy Snow, Eastern Box Elder County

When: February 21, 6:00 AM MST to February 22, 5:00 PM MST
Where: Eastern Box Elder County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.521, -113.082 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Eastbound lanes of Interestate 84 west of Tremonton were closed due to multiple accidents and slide-offs for a portion of the event. A snowfall accumulation of 10.1 inches with 0.45 inches of snow water equivalent was recorded at Perry. Other snowfall accumulations include 8.5 inches with 0.71 inches of snow water equivalent at Brigham City and 6.0 inches with 0.60 inches of snow water equivalent at Garland.

Heavy Snow, Cache Valley/Utah Portion

When: February 21, 6:00 AM MST to February 22, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Cache Valley/Utah Portion forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.722, -111.744 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snowfall accumulation of 13.0 inches with 0.51 inches of snow water equivalent was recorded at Logan. Other snowfall observations include 7.2 inches with 0.96 inches of snow water equivalent at Providence and 6.1 inches with 0.61 inches of snow water equivalent at Richmond.

Heavy Snow, Bear Lake and Bear River Valley

When: February 21, 6:00 AM MST to February 22, 9:00 PM MST
Where: Bear Lake and Bear River Valley forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.632, -111.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snowfall accumulation of 11.0 inches with 0.65 inches of snow water equivalent was observed at Laketown.

Heavy Snow, Wasatch Mountains I-80 North

When: February 21, 6:00 AM MST to February 22, 9:00 PM MST
Where: Wasatch Mountains I-80 North forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.220, -111.818 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The southbound lanes of Old Sardine Canyon Highway in Sardine Canyon were closed due to multiple accidents. A snowfall accumulation of 26.0 inches with 2.60 inches of snow water equivalent was observed at Snowbasin Resort. Powder Mountain reported a snowfall accumulation of 26.0 inches with 2.40 inches of snow water equivalent. Other observatinos included 3.00 inches of snow water equivalent, or approximately 33 inches of snow, at Parrish Creek, 2.60 inches of snow water equivalent, or approximatley 29 inches of snow, at Lookout Peak, and 1.5 inches of snow water equivalent, or approximately 17 inches of snow, at Parleys Summit.

Heavy Snow, Wasatch Mountains South of I-80

When: February 21, 6:00 AM MST to February 22, 9:00 PM MST
Where: Wasatch Mountains South of I-80 forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.338, -111.701 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

State Route 210 through Little Cottonwood Canyon was closed from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning for avalanche mitigation. U.S. Highway 189 was closed between Vivian and Canyon Glen Parks due to high avalanche risk from Tuesday night through early Wednesday. A snowfall accumulation of 29.0 inches with 1.90 inches of snow water equivalent was observed at Canyons Village. Other snowfall accumulations included 28.0 inches with 1.60 inches of snow water equivalent at Park City Mountain, 26.0 inches with 1.49 inches of snow water equivalent at Solitude, 25.0 inches with 1.55 inches of snow water equivalent at Brighton Crest at Brighton, and 24.0 inches with 1.93 inches of snow water equivalent at Alta Ski Area.

Heavy Snow, Tooele and Rush Valleys

When: February 21, 8:00 AM MST to February 22, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Tooele and Rush Valleys forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.449, -113.131 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall accumulation in Tooele ranged from 18-24 inches. Other snowfall accumulations include 14.5 inches with 0.62 inches of snow water equivalent at Grantsville and 10.0 inches with 0.93 inches of snow water equivalent at Stockton.

Heavy Snow, Northern Wasatch Front

When: February 21, 8:00 AM MST to February 22, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Northern Wasatch Front forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 41.131, -112.012 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snowfall accumulation of 10.9 inches was observed at North Salt Lake. Other snowfall accumulations included 10.0 inches at Clinton, a range from 7.5-8.3 inches with 1.10-1.34 inches of snow water equivalent at Bountiful, 7.0 inches at Layton, and 6.5 inches with 0.76 inches of snow water equivalent at South Ogden.

Heavy Snow, Salt Lake Valley

When: February 21, 8:00 AM MST to February 22, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Salt Lake Valley forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.668, -111.924 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Vehicles were getting stuck and being abandoned, primarily in Daybreak, creating clearance issues for snowplows. City staff of South Jordan reported having dug out more than 50 vehicles. UTA TRAX delays were up to an hour on all lines, in both directions, system wide due to snow. A snowfall accumulation of 21.0 inches was recorded at West Jordan. Other snowfall observations include 20.5 inches at Midvale, 18.8 inches at Fort Union, 17.3 inches at Olympus Cove, and 16.9 inches with 0.65 inches of snow water equivalent at Salt Lake City International Airport.

Heavy Snow, Wasatch Back

When: February 21, 8:00 AM MST to February 22, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Wasatch Back forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.889, -111.402 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snowfall accumulation of 14.0 inches with 1.03 inches of snow water equivalent was recorded at Park City. Other snowfall observations include 13.3 inches with 0.83 inches of snow water equivalent at Wanship and 9.0 inches with 0.67 inches of snow water equivalent at Heber City.

Heavy Snow, Utah Valley

When: February 21, 9:00 AM MST to February 22, 5:00 PM MST
Where: Utah Valley forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 40.120, -111.670 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snowfall accumulation of 12.0 inches was observed at Provo. Springville received a snowfall accumulation of 10.0 inches with 1.12 inches of snow water equivalent.

Heavy Snow, Western Uinta Mountains

When: February 21, 12:00 PM MST to February 22, 9:00 PM MST
Where: Western Uinta Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 40.499, -110.850 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snow water equivalent of 1.80 inches, or approximately 25 inches of snow, was recorded at Chepeta. Other snow water equivalent observations include 1.50 inches at Trial Lake, 1.50 inches at Spirit Lake, 1.30 inches at Lakefork, and 1.20 inches at Five Points Lake, with snow accumulations ranging from 17 to 21 inches.

Heavy Snow, Wasatch Plateau/Book Cliffs

When: February 21, 12:00 PM MST to February 22, 9:00 PM MST
Where: Wasatch Plateau/Book Cliffs forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 39.795, -111.021 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snow water equivalent of 1.90 inches, or approximately 23 inches of snow, was observed at Hobble Creek. Other snow water equivalent observations include 1.50 inches at Daniels-Strawberry, 1.40 inches at Clear Creek, 1.10 inches at Strawberry Divide, and 1.00 inches at Indian Canyon, with snow accumulations ranging from 12 to 18 inches.

Heavy Snow, Western Juab/Millard Counties

When: February 21, 3:00 PM MST to February 22, 3:00 PM MST
Where: Western Juab/Millard Counties forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.389, -112.942 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snowfall accumulation of 7.5 inches with 0.63 inches of snow water equivalent was recorded at Oak City. Black Rock received 6.0 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Eastern Juab/Millard Counties

When: February 21, 3:00 PM MST to February 22, 3:00 PM MST
Where: Eastern Juab/Millard Counties forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 39.389, -112.942 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Interstate 15 was closed in both directions for portions of Wednesday morning at Nephi due to accidents. A snowfall accumulation of 11.0 inches with 0.61 inches of snow water equivalent was observed at Fillmore.

Heavy Snow, Central Mountains

When: February 21, 3:00 PM MST to February 23, 12:00 AM MST
Where: Central Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 39.179, -111.993 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snow water equivalent of 1.60 inches, or approximately 19 inches of snow, was recorded at Pine Creek. Oak Creek recieved a snow water equivalent observations of 1.30 inches, or approximately 16 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Lower Washington County

When: February 21, 5:00 PM MST to February 22, 5:00 PM MST
Where: Lower Washington County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 37.280, -113.505 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snowfall accumulation of 2.5 inches with 0.16 inches of snow water equivalent was observed at Diamond Valley. St. George received 2.0 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Southern Mountains

When: February 21, 5:00 PM MST to February 22, 9:00 PM MST
Where: Southern Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.900, -112.342 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A snow water equivalent of 1.60 inches, or appoximately 19 inches of snow, was recorded at Kolob. Other snow water equivalent observations included 1.40 inches at Midway Valley, 1.30 inches at Sunflower Flat, 1.20 inches at Kimberly Mine, and 1.20 inches at Webster Flat, with snow accumulations ranging from 14 to 17 inches.

High Wind, Southwest Utah

When: February 22, 1:00 AM MST
Where: Southwest Utah forecast zone
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.832, -113.343 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wind gust of 72 mph was recorded at the I-15 @ Black Ridge mesonet site. Other wind gust observations include 65 mph at the I-15 at MP 57 Cedar City mesonet site, 62 mph by the Cedar City Regional Airport ASOS, 61 mph at the I-15 at MP 54 Hamiltons Fort mesonite site, and 60 mph at West Cedar.

High Wind, Upper Sevier River Valleys

When: February 22, 1:00 AM MST
Where: Upper Sevier River Valleys forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 38.313, -111.792 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wind gust of 66 mph was recorded by the Panguitch Municipal Airport AWOS and a wind gust of 61 mph occurred at Junction.

High Wind, Lower Washington County

When: February 22, 2:00 AM MST
Where: Lower Washington County forecast zone
Measured: 66 kt (76 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.280, -113.505 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wind gust of 76 mph was recorded at the White Reef mesonet site and the St George Regional Airport AWOS recorded a peak wind gust of 63 mph.

What these are

Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Utah in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Utah, February 2023

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1083909, 1083934, 1083964, 1083972, 1083983, 1083993, 1083917, 1083937, 1083951, 1083967, 1083958, 1083998, 1084004, 1084006, 1084010, 1084012, 1084015, 1084021, 1084023, 1084026, 1084025.