KSL Weather: Forecast predicts warmer weather before a week of snow

SALT LAKE CITY — The calendar may say February, but Mother Nature is treating Utah with some mid-April weather over the next few days — with snow in the forecast for next week. 

Thursday is one of the warmest days of the year so far in 2021, with a high of 56 degrees, according to KSL Meteorologist Grant Weyman. Friday will dip slightly to 48 degrees, but remains somewhat warm as the forecast predicts an 80% chance of rain. 

“We’ve got all kinds of roller coaster weather going on here with our mid-February weather,” Weyman said. “The valley should stay mostly rain [on Friday], at least low downtown. Then it’s just going to gradually turn colder for the weekend.” 

The temperature will begin to hit the mid-thirties on Sunday, with a high of 36 degrees and a 30% chance of rain in Salt Lake City. Temperatures will rise slightly, but staying below 40 degrees through Wednesday. 

There’s possible snow in the forecast for Salt Lake City on Monday through Wednesday, although it may just rain in the valley with the snow showers staying in the mountains. 

This comes as recent reports point to warmer winters in Utah, according to studies from Climate.gov. On average, the combined global land and ocean temperatures have increased at an average rate of about 32 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1880. 

Avalanche danger due to snowstorm 

Additionally, forecasters warn of avalanche danger throughout the weekend due to a snowstorm hitting the Wasatch Mountain Range.

“We’ve got a multi-day storm headed our way. We expect the avalanche danger to ramp up and it’s going to stay that way for several days,” Utah avalanche forecaster Craig Gordon told KSL-TV. “What we need to realize is that we need to get to the mountain on its terms.”

So far this year, six people have died from backcountry avalanches, including four people who were swept away by the fast whip of snow in Millcreek. 

For those brave enough to venture out into the backcountry during avalanche warnings, visit here for safety tips and preparation.