Residents in Alpine, Highland, Cedar Hills, and Lehi face heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms through Friday, October 23, 2026, as a cut-off low-pressure system moves across Utah.
According to a October 22 report, the National Weather Service has issued Flood Watches for portions of central and southern Utah, with some watches in effect until midnight on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The storm system is drawing tropical moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Trudy off the coast of Mexico. This moisture, combined with wind shear, is contributing to heavy downpours and severe thunderstorms across the Southwest.
In northern Utah, a marginal flash-flood risk was reported for Thursday, October 22, 2026, as the second wave of the storm moved through the state. Areas under the Flood Watches could receive between 2 and 3 inches of rainfall.
The Storm Prediction Center placed far southern Utah under a marginal to slight risk for severe weather on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, involving levels 1 and 2 out of 5. While large hail is the primary threat, damaging wind gusts reaching 70 mph and isolated tornadoes are possible.
For Thursday, October 22, 2026, most of western and southern Utah was under a separate marginal risk, level 1 out of 5, for damaging wind gusts and large hail.
The National Weather Service Salt Lake City office warned of a high risk of flash flooding in many southern Utah parks and recreation areas on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and Thursday, October 22, 2026. Travelers are advised to avoid low-water crossings, backcountry roads, slot canyons, and dry washes.
Because soils in southern Utah were already saturated from previous tropical moisture, excess runoff is likely in low-lying areas, burn scars, and canyons.
In Lehi, heavy drizzle and 60-degree temperatures were reported on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The forecast includes rain for Thursday, October 22, 2026, with a high near 71 degrees, followed by cloudy skies and highs around 60 degrees on Friday, October 23, 2026.
By Friday, October 23, 2026, an upper-level low will dig south across northern Utah, potentially dropping snow levels between 8,000 and 8,500 feet. Several inches of snow are possible in the Uintas and the Upper Cottonwoods, while valley areas will experience rain.
The storm is expected to exit by the afternoon of Saturday, October 24, 2026, leading to a dry weekend with highs in the 50s across northern Utah.
Utah's emergency management agency advises residents to keep radios and cell phones charged, maintain at least three days of food, water, and medicine, and avoid driving through flooded roadways, noting that 12 inches of moving water can float a car.
