Strong Wind in Utah, April 26, 2026

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1244 PM MDT Sun Apr 26 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Valley rain and mountain snow will continue through the day with
  a lull tonight before more precipitation moves in on Monday with
  the threat of some more convective activity.

- Freezing temperatures will return for some Utah valleys Tuesday
  and Wednesday morning.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Radar returns and activity have been paltry across
Tooele and Salt Lake valleys this morning as southerly flow has
led to some downsloping. However, other locations, such as the
northern Utah county and the northern Wasatch Front don't have to
deal with this problem. These locations have picked up 0.25 to as
much as 1.00 inches of rain so far. The storm is far from over
though as it is pivoting across the Wasatch Front. As it does so,
our southerly winds will gradually transition to more
westerly/northwesterly and areas that have missed out will start
to fill in. Mountain snow has generally be across elevations above
8000 feet with accumulating snow primarily above 9000 feet.
Heavier cells, with some embedded convection, have resulted in
quick road slush ups. But as the rates come down with these road
snow should quickly dissipate.

A lull in precipitation will start around 6pm as the
low ejects to the east, but another trough will be moving into the
Great Basin with widespread precipitation forming by Monday
morning. Current guidance shows a line of heavier precipitation
developing from Dugway up through Salt Lake and into southwest
Wyoming that will push to the east throughout the day. Instability
appears to be slightly better tomorrow afternoon that could lead
to some stronger convection that could produce some gusty winds
and frequent lightning. Snow levels will also drop down to 6500 to
7000 feet as H7 temperatures drop closer to -5C. This will allow
for some quick slush ups on mountain routes, primarily above 8000
feet. A bulk of precipitation will push out by Tuesday, but
diurnal showers will remain across the northern zone through
Thursday as shortwaves round the base of the trough across
southern Canada.

As colder air moves in behind this second trough, freezing
conditions will return to some Utah valleys Tuesday and Wednesday
morning. Tuesday morning will see the widespread freezing
conditions with most central/southwestern, and eastern valleys
experiencing freezing conditions. Slightly warmer temperatures on
Wednesday morning will limit the freezing temperatures to areas
across Sanpete/Sevier valleys and the western Uinta Basin.

Drier and warmer conditions will return by the end of the week and
into the weekend as low amplitude ridge builds across the area.

&&

.AVIATION...KSLC..Rain will persist at the terminal through the
afternoon hours, clearing after 23z. Heavier periods of rain may
result in MVFR CIGS/VIS at times Sunday, particularly between 19-
22z. Southerly winds are expected to shift westerly between 19-20z
and then more northwesterly, allowing showers to fill in. Gusty
winds will likely diminish after the windshift, with an early return
to southeasterly flow around 23-00z as the rain departs. A gradual
improvement in CIGS/VIS can be expected after 23Z.

.REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Widespread precipitation
with areas of MVFR CIGS/VIS will continue across the northern
terminals through much of Sunday. Heavier areas of rain,
particularly north of I-80, may result in IFR CIGS/VIS at times. A
gradual improvement in conditions can be expected by late afternoon.
Southern Utah terminals will see improving conditions by mid
afternoon.

&&

.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...None.
WY...None.
&&

PUBLIC...Mahan
AVIATION...Verzella

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