Utah's mountain ranges are forecast to receive modest snow accumulations starting Thursday night into Friday, according to an October 21 report from WeatherBrains. The Cottonwood areas are expected to be favored for snow as temperatures drop, following strong southern mountain winds.
Thursday is expected to remain relatively mild before colder air and precipitation arrive overnight. Mountain temperatures are forecast to reach the 40s across much of northern Utah, with some lower elevations reaching the 50s. Southerly winds are expected to become consequential at Brian Head, where gusts may approach 50-60 mph during the Thursday afternoon and evening. Precipitation is expected to reach the southern mountains Thursday night, followed by the Cottonwoods before dawn Friday.
Friday is identified as the best accumulation opportunity, with snow levels initially near 10,000 feet in the Cottonwoods before falling toward 8,000 feet Friday morning. Forecasted accumulations through Saturday morning include 4-5 inches at Alta and 3-4 inches at both Brighton and Snowbird, with smaller amounts expected elsewhere. Other forecasted totals for the period include 2 inches at Solitude and Brian Head, 1 inch at Park City, and 0 inches at Deer Valley, Beaver Mountain, and Powder Mountain. Much of the accumulation is expected to be dense or wet, though drier snow may occur on the coldest southern terrain.
Weekend showers appear more plausible in southern Utah than across the northern mountains. A light accumulation opportunity is expected around Saturday afternoon and night at Brian Head, while support for renewed Cottonwood showers later Saturday into Sunday remains mixed. Monday is expected to trend milder with little precipitation, followed by scattered mountain precipitation chances around Tuesday and Wednesday. While the broader outlook favors a wetter pattern toward late October and early November, uncertain storm placement and temperature keep larger snowfall opportunities unconfirmed.
