A Pacific storm system is pushing rain and gusty winds across Utah through Thursday, Oct. 22, with snow expected in the mountains above Cottonwood Heights by Friday.
The National Weather Service forecast for Cottonwood Heights called for a high of 76 degrees Wednesday, Oct. 21, with south winds at 16 mph and a chance of showers. Showers are likely Thursday, with a high near 75 degrees dropping to 47 degrees overnight.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for much of southern and eastern Utah through Thursday evening, ABC4 Utah meteorologist Cedric Haynes reported. Some areas covered by the watch could receive more than 2 to 3 inches of precipitation, according to ABC4.
Haynes wrote that "soils are already saturated after our last round of tropical moisture, so there will be plenty of excess runoff through canyons, dry washes, burn scars, and low-lying areas." The Cottonwood burn scars were flagged as areas of high concern during Tropical Storm Rachel's passage through Utah around Oct. 11.
Thursday: rain intensifies
Thursday's forecast calls for waves of rain and thunderstorms to move across the state, with pockets of locally heavy rainfall, according to ABC4. Gusty south winds will accompany the rain. Daytime highs across most of Utah will reach only the 50s and 60s.
A marginal risk of isolated strong storms will develop ahead of a cold front, Haynes reported. Hail is the primary severe threat. The bulk of the severe weather is expected to stay south of the Wasatch Front.
Friday: snow hits Upper Cottonwoods
An upper-level low will move south across northern Utah on Friday, Oct. 23, keeping rain chances going in the valleys while dropping snow levels to about 8,500 feet, according to ABC4. Several inches of accumulating snow are possible in the Upper Cottonwoods and Uintas.
The NWS forecast for Cottonwood Heights shows Friday's high dropping to 58 degrees with showers likely, and Friday night lows near 43 degrees.
Weekend outlook
The storm system is expected to exit by Saturday, Oct. 24. The NWS forecast shows partly sunny skies and a high of 57 degrees Saturday, improving to mostly sunny and 61 degrees on Sunday, Oct. 25.
The Bureau of Land Management issued a standing warning in September about flash flood dangers in canyon terrain. "Heavy rain doesn't have to fall where you're standing for a wash or canyon to flood fast," the BLM stated, according to Gephardt Daily. The agency advises checking weather conditions before heading into canyons and seeking higher ground if flooding develops. In an emergency, call 911.
