A slow-moving storm is pushing heavy rain across Utah, creating a marginal flash flood risk for Wasatch Front canyons through Friday, October 23, 2026. The National Weather Service's Salt Lake City office previously reported that flood watches were in effect across southern and central Utah through Thursday evening, October 23, 2026.
Hikers and trail runners entering Wasatch Front canyons face a marginal flash flood risk on Thursday, October 22, 2026, and Friday, October 23, 2026. According to KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson, scattered showers are likely to reach the Wasatch Front by Thursday night as the storm splits over Utah. Wasatch Front communities could collect up to an inch of rain by early Saturday, October 24, 2026, while mountain totals may reach near 2 inches.
The storm is a cut-off low-pressure system tracking into Utah from the Pacific Northwest through California. This system is separate from Tropical Storm Rachel, which previously soaked the state earlier in October. Due to recent rainfall, Utah's statewide mountain soil moisture reached 64.2% in mid-October, which was 5.1 percentage points above the previous 20-year record for that period, according to KSL data via the Draper Herald.
Snow levels are expected to drop from approximately 11,000 feet on Thursday, October 22, 2026, to 8,000 feet on Friday, October 23, 2026. Preliminary models estimate 3 to 6 inches of snow above 8,500 feet, including areas in the Upper Cottonwoods. The storm is expected to exit the region by late Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Anyone planning to use Millcreek Canyon or other Wasatch canyons should check the National Weather Service Salt Lake City forecast at weather.gov and avoid creek beds and low-lying areas while watches remain active.
