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SALT LAKE CITY — A storm system is bringing precipitation to much of the Wasatch Front on Thursday morning, with freezing rain possible in some areas.
But though storms usually provide some relief for inversion-related pollution in winter, Thursday's storm won't flush out the bad air quality that has been plaguing the Salt Lake Valley this week.
The system came from Southern California and moved north through Utah overnight into Thursday, according to KSL Meteorologist Grant Weyman. It moved out of the Wasatch Front area by about 10 a.m.
Rain and some snow have been present around the Wasatch Front, with freezing rain possible north of Salt Lake City on bridges and overpasses, Weyman said.
By 10 a.m. Thursday, the Salt Lake airport received just under 1/4-inch of rain, according to the National Weather Service. The Ogden-Hinckley Airport recorded .39 inches of rain by 9 a.m.
In northern Utah, Logan recorded 1.6 inches of snow Thursday morning, while Garland in Box Elder County received 3 inches of snow. Snowbasin Resort recorded 5 inches of snow, and Brighton got 4 inches, according to the weather service.
Wendover had 4 inches of snow by 8 a.m. Thursday, according to the weather service.
There is lots of moisture associated with the storm, but very little wind, which means the bad air quality will stick around in Salt Lake County, according to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.
"The rain is literally falling through the inversion," the agency said on Twitter.
Say what?!?!
— Utah DEQ (@UtahDEQ) December 5, 2019
Normally storms mix out the pollution. Today is an exception. Although levels of PM2.5 will be lower today, the storm was to the south of the W. Front. We are seeing a lot of moisture but very little wind. The rain is literally falling through the inversion. pic.twitter.com/2HOANcmRYX
Wood and solid fuel-burning bans remain across most of the Wasatch Front, the DEQ said. The air quality will likely remain poor in the Salt Lake Valley until Saturday, Weyman said. Another storm will move into northern Utah over the weekend, which has the potential to improve the air.
Air in Utah Valley improved slightly Thursday, ranging from moderate to good, according to Weyman.
From Ogden northward, snow and freezing rain on roads is possible, according to the Utah Department of Transportation.
Interstate 80 in the desert west of Salt Lake City will see some slick areas with patch ice, according to UDOT. Interstate 80 from Parleys Canyon east could see patchy snow and slush throughout Thursday morning, the agency added.
KSL VORTEX showing rain, snow, and an icy combo to the north. pic.twitter.com/xFKTzhhBjC
— Grant Weyman (@KSLweyman) December 5, 2019
A tire chain and four-wheel drive advisory was effect in Sardine Canyon between Box Elder and Cache counties on Thursday morning, but the advisory had been lifted by 7 a.m.
Snowfall should end in central and southern Utah by late Thursday morning, UDOT said. Some snow and ice may affect I-70 in central Utah during that time. Some light snow and ice could be present on roads in the Uinta Basin in eastern Utah until noon Thursday, as well, according to UDOT.
The agency advises drivers heading up canyon or mountain routes to be prepared for weather-related driving restrictions at any time when snowy weather is in the area.
For more travel information, follow the KSL Traffic Center on Twitter @KSLTraffic, or visit UDOT’s Commuterlink traffic site at udottraffic.utah.gov.
The full weather forecast is available at ksl.com/weather.
