Timeline of the cold front expected to finally bring “winter” to Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – It's the moment that most Utahns, but not all, have been waiting for for a very, very long time.

REAL-TIME WEATHER: Track the cold front by downloading the FREE Utah Weather Authority app

After what seemed like a long summer and a temperate fall A strong hint of “winter” will settle across Utah before the weekendwhich brought much colder temperatures and some significant snowfall.

Temperatures are expected to drop by 30 degrees, while the Cottonwood Canyons could see up to 15 inches of snow in certain areas. Up to 2 feet of snow could fall in the western Uintas, while other mountain locations in Utah could see up to 12 inches of snow.

A winter storm warning is now in effect for the Wasatch Mountains south of Interstate 80 and the western Uinta Mountains.

According to the National Weather Service, everything will move according to the following schedule:

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON:

Western Utah will experience southwest winds gusting up to 35 mph and low humidity, resulting in critical fire conditions. People are asked to exercise caution around campfires and avoid activities that could produce sparks that could start other fires.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT:

It starts with a weak cold front moving through northern Utah and starting to snow in the mountains.

THURSDAY EVENING:

The real cold front is coming and thermometers will show a sudden drop in temperature with moderate to heavy precipitation, including snow at elevations above 5,000 feet.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY:

Mountain snow and valley rain will continue, particularly over the eastern mountains of Utah. The NWS forecasts freezing temperatures for valleys outside the Wasatch Front and in lower Washington County.

Temperatures could become so low that gardens, crops and outdoor pipes are damaged.

The National Weather Service listed some “areas of uncertainty,” including:

• Whether sea rain or snow will form on Friday morning
• Will there be snow in the valleys?
• The possibility of easterly canyon winds Saturday morning across northern Utah