A strong and moist trough pushed inland during the middle portion of February, leading to several days of impactful weather. Strong southwesterly flow on the leading edge of the trough resulted in many instances of strong winds and gusts, and moisture was sufficient to begin producing mountain snow more or less throughout the state.
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.
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.
The episode as NWS SLC wrote it up.
A strong and moist trough pushed inland during the middle portion of February, leading to several days of impactful weather. Strong southwesterly flow on the leading edge of the trough resulted in many instances of strong winds and gusts, and moisture was sufficient to begin producing mountain snow more or less throughout the state. The deep nature of the trough then contained sufficient cold air to drop snow levels following a cold frontal passage, bringing snow to many valley floors, areas of scattered snow squalls, and a period of intense snowfall rates to some of the northern mountains. The snowfall resulted in numerous vehicle accidents, road and canyon closures, and avalanches (of which a fatality was reported).
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 16, 4:17 PM MST, 1 hour 43 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
417 PM MST Mon Feb 16 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Widespread south-southwest winds in excess of 45 mph and locally
in excess of 60 mph will continue through the night, with the
strongest winds expected to occur late this evening and
overnight behind a cold front. Elevated winds will persist
thereafter through Wednesday.
- Expect broadly 1-2 feet of mountain snow through Wednesday, with
two periods of heavy snowfall: overnight tonight and on Wednesday
as a couple of cold front push through the area.
- While most valleys will transition to snow by mid-day Tuesday,
precipitation will be at a relative lull by that point. As
precipitation ramps back up early Wednesday, valleys will likely
receive minor snow accumulations through the day, with
widespread 1-4 inches with locally higher amounts on benches and
in Cedar City.
&&
.DISCUSSION...The large-scale pattern this afternoon depicts a
closed low off the central California coast gradually filling and
beginning to eject inland as another closed low continues to
slide down the BritCol Coast. Ahead of these storms, southwesterly
flow is increasing across the Intermountain West, with H7 winds
over Utah this afternoon in excess of 40 kt. Meanwhile, moisture
associated with a landfalling atmospheric river is rotating around
the southernmost storm and spreading into the desert southwest.
This moisture is associated with IVT anomalies in excess of the
99th percentile of climatology for this time of year.
As the southern trough ejects across Utah tonight, a cold front
will push into Utah from the west-southwest. This will increase
the southerly surface pressure gradient, and coupled with H7 flow
of 50-65 kt, it is anticipated that winds later this evening and
overnight will be stronger than what winds have been this
afternoon (which already reached 40+ mph across a number of
western and central Utah sites). Have upgraded the Wind Advisories
to High Wind Warnings across the northwest deserts and the Tooele
Valley and added Wind Advisories for additional zones. Would not
be surprised if additional areas reach Warning criteria (gusts to
58 mph) as HREF probabilities show portions of west-central Utah
with a 40-55% chance of reaching criteria. However, the HREF in
general tends to be a bit overdone with winds.
Precipitation associated with the storm will begin filling in
across southwest Utah this evening, then spread north and east
through the late evening and overnight hours. Snow levels will
begin fairly high given the mild antecedent airmass. However,
snow levels will fall pretty quickly behind the front. The front
itself will be moving very quickly. As such, precipitation along
the frontal band is not expected to last more than 2-4 hours and
as such, valley snow will be very limited. Lingering orographics
will then continue to generate precipitation over/near the
northern and southwest Utah mountains into tomorrow. Most mountains
are expected to see around 4-10 inches (25th-75th percentile of
the NBM) tonight through tomorrow, with locally up to 15 inches
possible in the upper Cottonwoods, high Uintas, Bear River Range,
the Tushars and near Brian Head.
The northern storm arriving on Wednesday will bring the best
chance of widespread snow across the area, including in the
valleys given the colder airmass associated with it. Ahead of this
storm, southwest flow will increase across the area again by late
Tuesday afternoon. Precipitation will increase late Tuesday
night/Wednesday morning, heaviest late morning through late
afternoon as the associated cold front crosses the area. Lingering
orographics will then favor west to northwest aspects through
early Thursday morning. The northern and southwest Utah mountains
have a 60-100% chance of at least 12 inches of snow with this
storm. Many valleys (not including Lower Washington County and the
Lake Powell area) have at least a 70% chance of 2 inches of snow
or greater, although chances drop to less than 40% for 4 inches or
greater. The exception is the benches and along the I-15 corridor
where this is more likely. Given that this will likely be the
biggest valley snowstorm overall this winter (it's all relative),
winter weather highlights may be necessary for at least some
valley zones. Will evaluate this need on upcoming shifts.
Precipitation will wind down through the morning hours on
Thursday. However, the break looks to be brief, as another storm
looks increasingly likely for Friday. Even so, there is still some
uncertainty in the details, namely where the heaviest precipitation
will occur. However, with increasingly colder air working its way
in, accumulating snow will be very possible with this storm. A
ridge then looks to finally build in for the weekend bringing a
break in the weather.
&&
.AVIATION...KSLC...Strong south winds are expected over the KSLC
through the overnight period, with winds expected to peak between
around 04Z and 15Z Tuesday. Showers are expected to develop over
nearby terrain after about 02Z, creating obscuration of higher
mountaintops. CIGs are not expected to drop to 6kft or below until
around 10-11Z. There is around a 30% chance that rain showers impact
the terminal between 05Z and 09Z Tuesday, however, VFR conditions
are expected to be maintained.
.REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Strong south to southwesterly
flow is expected across much of Utah and southwest Wyoming through
the overnight period, with peak gusts approaching 45-50kts ahead of,
and along, a cold frontal boundary. Light to moderate precipitation
is also expected to accompany this cold frontal boundary, with
conditions dropping into the MVFR category due to low CIGs. Snowfall
in southwest Wyoming will likely drop conditions into IFR due to
lower CIGs and VIS. Expect this frontal boundary to move through the
region from east to west around 02-03Z through 10-11Z.
&&
.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...High Wind Warning until 5 AM MST Tuesday for UTZ101-102.
Wind Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 5 AM MST Tuesday for
UTZ103>105-121-128>130.
Winter Storm Warning until 5 AM MST Thursday for UTZ108-110>112.
Winter Weather Advisory until 5 AM MST Thursday for UTZ113-117.
Wind Advisory until 5 AM MST Tuesday for UTZ115-116-118-119-122-
126-127.
Winter Storm Warning until 5 PM MST Wednesday for UTZ125.
WY...None.
&&
Cheng/Webber
For more information from NOAA's National Weather Service visit...
http://weather.gov/saltlakecityPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
459 PM MST Mon Feb 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0515 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 SW Vernon 39.99N 112.54W
02/16/2026 M58 MPH Tooele UT Mesonet
Mesonet station BCP Black Crook Peak.
0330 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 16 WNW Dugway 40.37N 113.00W
02/16/2026 M58 MPH Tooele UT Mesonet
Mesonet station DPG16 Upper Cedar Mtn.
0255 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N Milford 38.42N 113.02W
02/16/2026 M58 MPH Beaver UT ASOS
ASOS station KMLF Milford Municipal Airport.
0445 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 ENE Trial Lk 40.73N 110.89W
02/16/2026 M59 MPH Summit UT Mesonet
Mesonet station LOFTY Trial Lake.
0400 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 ESE Sandy 40.55N 111.80W
02/16/2026 M59 MPH Salt Lake UT Mesonet
Mesonet station DW6120 Sandy.
0441 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NW Cedar City 37.70N 113.10W
02/16/2026 M59 MPH Iron UT ASOS
ASOS station KCDC Cedar City Municipal
Airport.
0358 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 16 E Kings Peak 40.81N 110.07W
02/16/2026 M59 MPH Duchesne UT Mesonet
Mesonet station CHPU1 Chepeta.
0107 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 ENE Almy 41.35N 110.91W
02/16/2026 M60 MPH Uinta WY Mesonet
Mesonet station AV868 Medicine Butte
Mountain.
0320 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNW Big Cottonwood - 40.66N 111.65W
02/16/2026 M60 MPH Salt Lake UT Mesonet
Mesonet station REY Reynolds Peak.
1210 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S Cedar City 37.64N 113.06W
02/16/2026 M60 MPH Iron UT Mesonet
Mesonet station PC072 Cedar Highlands.
0330 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ENE Park City Powderc 40.84N 111.02W
02/16/2026 M61 MPH Summit UT Mesonet
Mesonet station WDYPK Windy Peak.
0310 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ESE Hamilton Ft 37.63N 113.12W
02/16/2026 M61 MPH Iron UT Mesonet
Mesonet station UTHFT I-15 MP 54 Hamiltons
Fort.
0100 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SE Enterprise 37.51N 113.66W
02/16/2026 M66 MPH Washington UT Mesonet
Mesonet station PC336 Big Mountain.
0900 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 S Alta - Collins 40.57N 111.64W
02/16/2026 M72 MPH Salt Lake UT Mesonet
Mesonet station AMB Central Wasatch Peaks -
East.
0445 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Snowbird 40.56N 111.64W
02/16/2026 M87 MPH Utah UT Mesonet
Mesonet station HDP Central Wasatch Peaks -
West.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
11 winter weather, 6 winter storm, 2 heavy snow, 2 avalanche. Local standard time, as filed.
Several SNOTEL stations including Lonesome Beaver, Gardner Peak, and Webster Flat recorded from 0.9 to 3.2 inches of snow water equivalent, resulting in approximately 13 to 44 inches of snow.
A powerful winter storm brought heavy snow and strong winds to the area. Reported snow observations include 27 inches of snow in the Logan Mountains (3.1 inches water), 23 inches of snow at Powder Mountain (2.5 inches water), and 18 inches of snow at Snowbasin - Base (1.9 inches of water). Additionally, several SNOTEL stations including Lightning Ridge, Ben Lomond Peak, and Monte Cristo recorded from 1.6 to 2.7 inches of snow water equivalent, resulting in approximately 21 to 37 inches of snow. Some peak wind gust observations through the event include 97 mph at Snowbasin - Straw Top, 78 mph at Snowbasin - Strawberry Tower 15, and 76 mph at Ogden Peak. Inclement conditions also resulted in widespread winter driving conditions along higher elevation routes. Examples include a multi-vehicle pileup on I-80 near the Wyoming border, closure of Sardine Canyon for road snow mitigation, and numerous accidents and slide-offs on I-80 through Parleys Canyon. Incidences of additional accidents and slide-offs are noted elsewhere through the zone.
A powerful winter storm brought heavy snow and strong winds to the area. Reported snow observations include 47 inches of snow at Alta - Collins (4.7 inches water), 36 inches of snow at Brighton Crest (3.7 inches water), 32 inches of snow at Solitude (3.3 inches water), and 28 inches of snow at Park City Mountain (2.7 inches of water). Additionally, SNOTEL stations including Thaynes Canyon and Mill-D North recorded from 2.2 to 2.4 inches of snow water equivalent, resulting in approximately 31 to 34 inches of snow. Some peak wind gust observations through the event include 103 mph at Arrowhead Summit, 96 mph at Hidden Peak, and 84 mph at Alta - Mt Baldy. A prolonged period of intense snow rates at or in excess of 3 inches per hour along with the strong winds 2/18 resulted in premature closure of area ski resorts, and full closure of both Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Little Cottonwood Canyon remained closed into the following morning for avalanche mitigation. Numerous slide-offs and accidents were also reported in the Cottonwood canyons in addition to Provo Canyon.
Several SNOTEL stations including Lily Lake, Lakefork #1, and Chalk Creek #1 recorded from 1.1 to 2.6 inches of snow water equivalent, resulting in approximately 16 to 37 inches of snow. Some peak wind gust observations through the event include 93 mph at Windy Peak, 86 mph at Lofty Lake Peak, and 78 mph at Chepeta.
Several SNOTEL stations including Timberline, Clear Creek #2, and Daniels-Strawberry recorded from 0.9 to 2.2 inches of snow water equivalent, resulting in approximately 13 to 30 inches of snow. Some peak wind gust observations through the event include 78 mph at Monument Peak and 76 mph at Soldier Summit Ridge. Additionally, numerous accidents and slide-offs were reported along US-40.
Several SNOTEL stations including Seely Creek, Upper Joes Valley, and Red Pine Ridge recorded from 0.9 to 1.5 inches of snow water equivalent, resulting in approximately 12 to 21 inches of snow. Some peak wind gust observations through the event include 84 mph at Signal Peak, 80 mph at Scipio Summit, and 76 mph at Bull Claim Hill. Multiple vehicle accidents and slide-offs were also reported along I-70.
A combination of report sources indicated widespread snow amounts of 3 to 7 inches across many portions of the zone. Strong winds widespread in excess of 40 mph (peak gust of 75 mph at 9:00 AM at Cedar City Municipal Airport) combined with periods of very heavy snow resulted in snow squall conditions with visibility in some areas reduced to less than one quarter of a mile. Numerous accidents and slide-offs were reported, especially along higher sections of I-15.
Combination of spotter and public sources indicated widespread snowfall amounts in excess of 6 inches across much of the Cache Valley, with some specific reports including 7 inches in Hyrum, 9 inches at Logan 0.9 NNE, and 10.5 inches at Logan Radio KVNU. Impacts were significant enough the Utah State University in Logan canceled classed for the day.
Snow Squall. Mesonet sensor across the southern mountains reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, wind gusts of 38 mph, visibility of 0.07 miles.
Snow Squall. Mesonet sensor in the Bryce Canyon area reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, wind gusts to 33 mph, and visibility of 0.25 miles.
Snow Squall. Mesonet sensors reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, wind gusts between 40 to 50 mph, visibility around 0.10 miles, and very low road grip indicative of a flash freeze.
Snow Squall. Numerous mesonet sensors across the southern mountains reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, wind gusts between 30 to 60 mph, visibility as low as 0.07 miles, and very low road grips indicative of a flash freeze.
A cold frontal passage followed by several hours of snow showers, including a corridor of lake enhanced snow with snowfall rates at times in excess of 1 inch per hour, brought significant winter weather impacts to portions of the Salt Lake valley. Accumulation amounts varied throughout the valley, with generally around 1 to 4 inches (closer to 6 inches on benches), with the higher totals noted at areas that sat beneath the lake enhanced snow showers. The combination of the snow on 2/18 and subsequent refreeze overnight into the morning of 2/19 resulted in hundreds of motor vehicle accidents, some of which included Utah Highway Patrol vehicles. No fatalities or major injuries were reported. Rocky Mountain Power reported power outages across the valley peaked at over 28,000 customers. The Center Weather Service Unit reported major impacts (quoted as likely a top 5 event) to operations at the Salt Lake City International Airport, including a ground delay from FAA command center, temporary runway closure due to snow, and around 38 to 42 flight diversions due to the combination of the snow and strong crosswinds.
Snow Squall. Numerous mesonet sensors across southwest Utah reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, wind gusts between 30 to 60 mph, visibility between 0.10 to 0.25 miles, and very low road grips indicative of a flash freeze. Multiple crashes were reported near mile post 54 and resulted in 2 minor injuries. 4 semi trucks were involved in the accident, and one jackknifed.
Snow Squall. Numerous mesonet sensors across the central mountains reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, wind gusts between around 30 to 40 mph, visibility between 0.18 to 0.25 miles, and low road grips indicative of snow covered roads.
Snow Squall. Numerous mesonet sensors across eastern Millard County reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, and wind gusts between 30 to 40 mph.
Snow Squall. Mesonet sensor in the western Canyonlands area reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, wind gusts of 32 mph, visibility of 0.24 miles, and low road grips indicative of slick roads.
Snow Squall. Mesonet sensor in the Sevier Valley near Richfield reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, wind gusts of 45 mph, and visibility of 0.25 miles.
Snow Squall. Mesonet sensors across the Bryce Canyon area reported snow squall conditions, including heavy snow, wind gusts between 30 to 40 mph, visibility of 0.25 miles, and very low road grips indicative of a flash freeze.
In the late afternoon hours a man and his juvenile son were riding snowmobiles in the Snake Creek/Ant Knolls area of the Wasatch Mountains roughly between Alta and Midway. The father reportedly became stuck at the bottom of a steep bowl like slope around 4:00 PM, with the son also becoming stuck upon attempting to help. An avalanche released from higher up on the slope, narrowly avoiding the son, but catching and carrying the father and his snowmobile roughly 300 feet down the hill, burying him near a tree under around two feet of snow. The son called 911 and began searching for his father, but by the time he was able to partially unbury his father, the father had passed.
Just following noon two children and their father entered a backcountry area by leaving the Brighton Ski area boundary west of the Crest lift. One of the children, an 11 year old female ahead of her other family members, traversed into the backcountry along an apron above Rock Garden towards the Mary Main bowl at which time bystanders on the ridge reported that an avalanche released above her. She was reported to have been caught and carried over 200 feet, becoming buried just downhill of a tree. Bystanders quickly called Brighton Ski Patrol and 911. The family did not have avalanche rescue equipment, and attempted to use phone location to narrow the burial location. With the aid of a ski dog, Brighton Ski Patrol located the girl roughly 17 minutes after initial burial. Rescuers performed CPR, but poor weather conditions prevented helicopter transport from landing. She was transported by ambulance for emergency care, but succumbed to her injuries.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche, Wasatch Mountains South of I-80 | 2026-02-18 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct | |
| Avalanche, Wasatch Mountains South of I-80 | 2026-02-19 | 11 | Female | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Utah in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Utah, February 2026
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: 1306217, 1306209, 1306212, 1306213, 1306215, 1306216, 1306219, 1306218, 1306292, 1306290, 1306285, 1306288, 1306306, 1306284, 1306297, 1306294, 1306293, 1306298, 1306289, 1306275, 1306253.