New day, new season: Cold storm blows out summer weather

Valley residents just missed seeing only the fourth measurable snowfall in September on Wednesday.

Thursday morning — it's October now — may be different.

A blanket of snow covered the Wasatch Mountains at about the 6,000-foot level east of Salt Lake City by midmorning Wednesday, and the benches of Davis and Salt Lake counties received snow at times during the day, even though it didn't stick for long.

According to Dan Pope, KSL meteorologist, the earliest snowfall ever at the Salt Lake Airport occurred on Sept. 17, 1965, when 2.2 inches fell. The only two other times measurable white stuff has fallen at the airport in the month of September was on Sept. 18, 1978 (1 inch) and Sept. 30, 1971 (4 inches).

Pope said it is cold enough that precipitation will be in the form of snow, even on the valley floor this morning.

"But it will be limited to areas generally south and east of the Great Salt Lake. So, from Bountiful to Sandy and Draper, there will be some light accumulations on the grassy surfaces, with possibly an inch or two on the benches."

After a Tuesday afternoon high of 87 degrees, temperatures plummeted some 40 degrees to the mid-40s Wednesday afternoon at the airport. Salt Lake's average high this time of year is 76.

Park City was only 34 degrees by mid-afternoon Wednesday, and higher mountain areas were even colder.

Pope said Alta measured 6 inches of snow Wednesday morning, with the possibility of more overnight.

In all, he expects the Cottonwood Canyons above 8,500 feet to receive about 10 to 16 inches from this winterlike storm.

Pope said he's also impressed with how much moisture this storm has carried. The airport received close to an inch of rain by midday Wednesday. He said that is unusual considering Salt Lake City only averages one day per year of an inch or more of rain.

Those traveling for the weekend may face some snow accumulating over the highest mountain passes, Pope said, especially those above 8,500 feet that normally do not get plowed. Snow will likely be confined to shady spots, he said.

The Salt Lake office of the National Weather Service predicted a reading at the airport of 33 degrees — near freezing — this morning. Today's high may only reach the low 50s, under partly cloudy skies.

Friday is expected to bring mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. However, Saturday and Sunday may see a return of rain showers to Salt Lake Valley, with high temperatures retreating to the mid-50s on Sunday.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com