A Dreaded Ridge is Upon Us

 TL;DR:

A week of high pressure is upon us. Poor air quality is expected in Northern Utah Valleys through the week.

Nowcast:

Salt Lake can expect highs near the 40s with calm winds throughout the day. A high pressure ridge has situated itself over Utah and the interior west. Warm, dry conditions can be expected to persist with this ridge. 

View of the valley looking south from campus.

Short term:

The high pressure ridge will begin to amplify overnight tonight. Even warmer temperatures are expected with this amplified ridge. Highs will be near the 50s through the beginning of next week. Valley inversions will begin to set up along the Wasatch front. Valleys with a current snowpack can expect more established inversion conditions. These inversions are expected to contribute to decreased air quality. The Utah department of air quality has issued Sunday and Monday as mandatory action days, so try to limit your time outside and carpool when you can.

Utah Department of Air quality weekend forecast

Long term:

The high pressure ridge is expected to persist through midweek. A high amplitude trough is expected to make its way inland late this week. This system will have high water content and precipitation is expected. This storm should help to mix out the stagnant air that will have developed in the valleys. There is uncertainty in the timing and water content for this storm, but check back later in the week to see how this storm develops.

Backcountry comments:

The avalanche danger in the Salt Lake mountains is moderate on northwest through eastern slopes and low on southern slopes.

Todays avalanche forecast for Salt Lake area mountains. 

If you will be traveling in the backcountry make sure you have the proper equipment and know before you go. For the whole avalanche forecast and all things avalanche head over to our friends at the Utah Avalanche Center.

Courtesy 

Ashley Evans