Written by 
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Happy Tuesday, Utah! Active weather continues this afternoon for much of the state as a warm and moist southwest flow is moving through the region. Valley rain and mountain snow will continue this afternoon with better chances of precipitation for the Wasatch Front along a cold front.
So what’s the bottom line? Rain and snow showers hang on into Wednesday, and cold, dry northwest flow setting up for Thanksgiving
Gusty southerly winds have kept the Salt Lake Valley rain-shadowed for much of the day. As the flow shifts westward later today, rain should start making its way into Salt Lake Valley. Central Utah’s already been seeing the brunt of moisture over the mountain areas this morning and was favored to see the most amounts of precipitation.
Later this afternoon and evening, a cold front will move into northern Utah. An onset of heavier precipitation could accompany the front and allow for quick, heavy bursts of rain along this front as it moves through. As temperatures drop, snow levels might hit the valley floors just in time for the evening commute.
The front will keep moving south, crossing into Arizona by Wednesday morning. Most valleys will see a rain-to-snow transition, with a couple of inches possible in some spots.
Our mountain areas remain under a Winter Storm Warning through Wednesday afternoon, although the heaviest snowfall will be tapered off by Wednesday morning. Snowfall totals are still expected to fall in the 10-20″ range for most areas with the Central Mountains possibly seeing up to 30″ or so.
After the front passes, temperatures will be below seasonal averages statewide under a chilly northwesterly flow. That said, the air will dry out fast, so most of the moisture should clear up by Wednesday afternoon, except for a few flurries in the mountains.
By Thursday morning, a cool and dry northwest flow will settle in and stick around through Friday. Expect cooler temperatures to stick around with daytime highs roughly 5 degrees cooler than average through the end of the week. On Friday, a passing shortwave will bring another burst of cool air and some wind, but no chance of rain or snow.
Over the weekend, a strong upper ridge will build in from the Pacific Coast, bringing dry and mild conditions above the valleys but locking in inversion. Expect haze in the valleys to build into next week, while it stays clear and mild above.
Valley temperatures will likely stay chilly, and we might need to adjust the valley temperature forecast as the weekend approaches. For now, plan on below normal high temperatures sticking around for the Wasatch Front.