WEATHER

Cold temperatures are a result of two weather events, NWS says

Feb 17, 2023, 6:30 PM | Updated: 9:08 pm

Drivers in parts of Salt Lake and Tooele counties could be facing some winter driving conditions du...

The National Weather Service building in Salt Lake City. The NWS says Salt Lake City should get its first 100-degree day on Monday, July 3, 2023. (Paul Nelson)

(Paul Nelson)

SALT LAKE CITY — The cold temperatures experienced this winter in Utah have resulted from two meteorological events occurring at the same time,  according to the National Weather Service.

“Our two big cold periods did coincide with inversion, high-pressure events,” said Monica Traphagan, of the National Weather Service. “So, what you had in those cases, you had a storm system come through, you had very abnormally cold air. And it stuck around for a little while because the inversion traps that cold air into our valleys.”

Traphagan says the average temperatures for this time of year are in the 40s and 20s.

“Our normal high right now is the mid-40s,” she said. “And our normal low temperature would be in the mid to upper 20s. So, you know those low temperatures that we saw most recently in the upper teens to lower 20s are 10 to 15 degrees below average, which is nothing to sneeze at.”

Record lows for this time of year are even colder than what the state has experienced this winter.

“But our records for these dates tend to run around zero,” Traphagan said.

Another storm and more cold temperatures on the way

The NWS says another snowstorm will arrive in northern Utah this weekend, arriving Saturday night into Sunday morning. It is expected to bring a cold front to the northern Wasatch Front and portions of southwest Wyoming.

Snow accumulations from this storm are expected to be light. However, it will be enough to clear out valley inversions, according to the NWS. 

 

Thomas Haraldsen contributed to this story.

Read more:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Weather

The formations are called ice shoves because, well, they look like stacks of ice. Just piles of wha...

Diana Jones

Ice shoves: What are they and where to find them

The formations are called ice shoves due to them looking like stacks of ice. It happens when the surface of a lake turns to ice but breaks apart.

22 hours ago

Davis County learned over the weekend that the temporary Davis County warming center it was using i...

Bryanna Willis

Davis County warming center changes location due to early building demolition

A Davis County warming center has changed its location after the city got word that the building it was originally using is set for an early demolition.

2 days ago

Utah's ski resorts...

Eric Cabrera

What does the warm weather mean for Utah’s ski resorts?

Utah's ski resorts are staying busy through the unseasonably warm weather.

3 days ago

People walk at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City on Jan. 3....

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Record-breaking warmth, windy conditions forecast this week

Salt Lake City is one of a few cities that broke a high-temperature record on Sunday, but more record-warm temperatures are forecast across Utah.

4 days ago

Two avalanches slide side by side in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Utah avalanche danger...

Mariah Maynes

Utah avalanche danger: Considerable in Salt Lake region, avalanche warning issued for Logan

Utah avalanche danger varied across the state on Feb. 2. Utah Avalanche Center rated the Salt Lake region as 'considerable,' issued warning for Logan area.

4 days ago

Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog,...

TASSANEE VEJPONGSA and MARK SCOLFORO

Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow, predicting 6 more weeks of wintry weather

The well known groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Sunday, predicting six more weeks of winter.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Cold temperatures are a result of two weather events, NWS says