Storm Day

TL;DR: Today is a powder day in Utah with significant snowfall overnight. BUT, winds were ferocious, and there was lots of snow water equivalent in the new snow. Potentially a tricky day for skiing- expect continued road closures and delays getting lifts and terrain open.

Nowcast: It snowed heavily in the Wasatch overnight and the winds blew quite hard. 24-hour snowfall totals in the central Wasatch range from 17-24" with over two inches of snow-water-equivalent in spots. This is relatively wet snow for the Wasatch. Temperatures are in the 20s in the mountains under westerly flow.

Short-term Forecast: Under west-northwesterly flow, snow will continue in the central Wasatch today, with storm totals continuing to stack up in favored areas like Little Cottonwood Canyon. Temperatures will also decrease throughout the day. The University of Utah GFS-Derived forecast for Alta shows an additional 11" of snow from 8 a.m. on Sunday through Monday morning.

Source: University of Utah Department of Atmospheric Science

Things clear out mid-day Monday and Tuesday, enabling terrain openings at the resorts.

Mid-Long Range Forecast: 

Another front moves through Utah on Wednesday morning, bringing additional precipitation to the region.

Source: University of Utah Department of Atmospheric Science

This front will feature fairly heavy precipitation rates (0.25-0.5" in 3 hrs), but 700 hPa (crest-level) temperatures will be fairly warm (~5 °C), so the snow may not stack up too much. Preliminary forecasts suggest an additional 10 or so inches of snow with this storm. Afterwards, a ridge builds in the intermountain west, bringing clear weather.

Summary:

Huge snowfall overnight brings a deep powder day to northern Utah. Snow will continue throughout the day before tapering off on Monday morning. A follow-up system arrives on Wednesday, bringing additional snow.

Backcountry Comments:

Huge snowfall and winds have led the Utah Avalanche Center  to rate the current avalanche danger as extreme. Avalanches are occuring in Utah now, and today is a day to avoid all avalanche terrain.