Firefighters and resorts rejoice after productive winter storm; Frost warnings issued

SALT LAKE CITY — A winter storm warning remains in effect for the mountains of southern Utah until midday Saturday, but Utah ski resorts and even firefighters are excited about what the storm that moved in Thursday has done so far.

According to the National Weather Service, 9 inches of snow fell in Alta by midday, while communities in south-central Utah such as Cedar City and Oak City, Millard County, each received 6 inches of snow.

Heavy rainfall was also recorded, as several cities along the Wasatch Front and central Utah received more than an inch of rain, as initially forecast. According to the weather service, a station near Vernon, Tooele County, reached 2.71 inches at 10 a.m. Friday.

The storm’s highest totals were expected at elevations where there are few, if any, weather stations, such as King’s Peak in the western Uintas.

“This is a big, producing storm, and it’s nice because we’re coming off two weeks of calm (conditions) and above-average temperatures,” KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson said.

Storm impacts

The storm was particularly good news for firefighters battling wildfires across the state. The U.S. Forest Service reported Friday that crews managed to “completely suppress” the Verdure Creek Wildfire in the Manti La Sal National Forest by establishing fire lines around it.

“Suppression efforts were supported by rainfall, cloud cover, high humidity and cool weather conditions that weakened fire activity,” the agency added.

The fire, which broke out Sunday, burned about 157 acres about 6 miles southwest of Monticello. Around 35 employees will remain on site for the time being to monitor the fire.

The agency also reported little growth for the Yellow Lake Fire in Summit County, which remains the state’s largest fire this year. The size remained at 30% containment at 33,038 acres Friday morning after about an inch of rain fell in the area Thursday.

About 15 centimeters of snow was also reported in higher areas of the region. The Forest Service has reduced some fire protection areas in the Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests, but some closures remain in place.

A command shift is planned for this weekend as the California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 will hand over operations to a Utah Type 3 team composed of National Forests personnel. Community meetings in Kamas and Tabiona are planned for this weekend.

Meanwhile, ski resorts were also thrilled by the storm as they prepare for the upcoming ski season. Not only did many ski resorts receive snow, but the conditions also gave them the opportunity to fire their snow cannons to match the snow totals.

“The first snow of the season is here and we are in a winter wonderland! The snow cannons are taking advantage of the current cold and snowy temperatures,” wrote Brian Head Resort officials.

Several resorts plan to begin operations from November, conditions permitting.

However, there were some negative effects. A Woodland Hills resident shared a video with KSL.com of the damage to trees after several inches of heavy, wet snow fell in the Utah County community.

Cedar City also reported “significant tree damage” from snow in southwest Utah. Residents were advised to dump their branches while cleaning up at the Bulloch Pit (1050 N. Lund Highway) or to stack their branches on the curb in front of their property for Cedar City construction crews to collect next week.

Weekend forecast

A few additional showers are possible through the end of the weekend.

Johnson said parts of southern and southeastern Utah are more likely to see rain and snow through Saturday and possibly Sunday as the core of the low pressure system moves south into Arizona and then jumps toward the Four Corners.

The system’s projected path to the Wasatch Front is expected to result in potentially gusty conditions. The National Weather Service issued high wind warnings for southwestern Utah and the northern Wasatch Front, where easterly winds could bring gusts up to 60-65 mph through Saturday morning.

The agency also issued a handful of freeze warnings covering parts of northern Utah and the Wasatch Front, where low temperatures could drop below freezing in cities like Brigham City, Payson, Provo and Roosevelt between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Temperatures will be cold enough to potentially kill crops and sensitive vegetation and potentially damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, the weather service notes.

Warmer temperatures are on the horizon – although not as warm as before the cold front arrived. High temperatures along the Wasatch Front will remain in the 60s through the weekend before rising back into the 70s by midweek. High temperatures in St. George are forecast to fall back into the high 80s by midweek.

The National Weather Service’s Climate Precipitation Center now predicts that Utah is unlikely to experience another storm until the end of October, meaning it will likely remain dry next week.

Complete seven-day forecasts for areas across Utah can be found online at the KSL Weather Center.