Salt Lake City is waking up mostly cloudy and around 61°F (16°C) this morning, but spring is about to pull a hard left turn. A strong cold front is set to roll through later today, bringing showers and thunderstorms, a wet and windy midday, then a sharp drop into much colder air and an overnight freeze that could smack early-season plants. Commuters should be ready for pockets of brief heavy precipitation and a quick switch to snow in the afternoon.
When the Front Rolls Through
The front is expected to sweep down the Wasatch Front between about noon and 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 16. Ahead of it, look for showers and a few rumbles of thunder before temperatures slide and snow showers become likely. Highs should reach near 55°F before the front arrives, then fall into the mid-40s, with lows near 28°F on Thursday night. A quick burst of snow could briefly cut visibility and turn roads slushy. Behind the front, gusty northerly winds will kick up, and a few gap wind spots could see some of the stronger gusts. Check the NWS Salt Lake City forecast for exact timing and neighbourhood-level details.
Freeze Warning: Last Call for Tender Plants
Freeze Warnings are set to begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 16 and continue into Friday morning, with another period of concern from 8 p.m. Friday into Saturday noon. Widespread lows in the upper 20s, with even colder readings in some valleys, are on the table. That kind of hard freeze can kill tender plants and damage exposed outdoor plumbing. Gardeners should cover vulnerable vegetation and drain or winterize irrigation where they can. We flagged this early-frost risk earlier in the week; see our spring smackdown coverage for background, per Hoodline.
Weekend Warm-Up After the Chill
The good news is that the cold shot will not linger. Conditions dry out quickly, with mostly sunny skies expected Saturday, April 18 and highs near 62°F. Then temperatures jump into the 70s on Sunday and Monday, with readings around 74°F on April 19 and near 78°F on April 20. That rapid warm-up should erase the late-week freeze for most locations, but it is worth planning garden work and outdoor projects around Thursday night’s low temperatures. For Thursday commuters, giving yourself extra time around the midday and afternoon hours is a smart move when precipitation, slushy spots, and reduced visibility are most likely.
