Spring hit the pause button in Salt Lake City on Friday as residents woke up to cloudy skies, near-freezing air around 30°F, and a crunchy layer of frost on lawns and windshields. The National Weather Service has most valley locations under Freeze Warnings through 12:00 PM MDT on Friday, April 17, with a second round running from 8:00 PM MDT Friday into 12:00 PM MDT Saturday, April 18. Light and brief snow showers are possible early, but forecasters say conditions should clear and warm sharply as the weekend kicks in.
What To Expect Today
Patchy frost is likely before 9:00 AM, with a slight chance of snow showers that could brush the morning commute. By afternoon, skies should turn mostly sunny with a high near 48°F. Northwest valley winds are expected to stay on the mild side at 3 to 8 mph, though lake-effect bands may clip the Oquirrh Mountains and parts of the western Salt Lake Valley this morning. According to NWS Salt Lake City, any valley snow should be brief with only minor accumulation expected.
Freeze Warnings And Local Impacts
The first Freeze Warning is in effect until 12:00 PM MDT Friday, April 17. The second kicks in at 8:00 PM MDT Friday and lasts through 12:00 PM MDT Saturday, April 18. Forecasters expect widespread lows in the upper 20s, with some colder pockets in the valleys. That could be bad news for early-season crops, tender landscaping, and any outdoor plumbing that is not protected. The forecast discussion also flags the potential for gusty post-frontal winds tonight into Friday morning, which could create brief travel issues in typical gap-wind corridors.
Protect Plants, Sprinklers And Pipes
Homeowners are urged to cover or bring sensitive potted plants indoors, winterize or drain in-ground sprinkler systems, and wrap exposed irrigation and plumbing lines to avoid breaks and expensive water damage. For a look at how this cold snap stacks up against earlier freezes this month, check out the twin freeze warnings, as per Hoodline.
Weekend Warm-Up
High pressure builds in for the weekend, and the weather does a quick about-face. Highs should rebound to near 62°F on Saturday, then climb into the low-to-mid 70s by Sunday. By Monday and Tuesday, many valley locations are expected to reach the upper 70s to around 80°F, so outdoor plans that need frost-free conditions will be much easier to pull off after Saturday afternoon.
Takeaway
Short term, protect tender plants and outdoor plumbing today and again Friday night. Longer term, get ready for a fast rebound to sunny, much warmer weather over the weekend, while keeping an eye on higher-elevation roads for any lingering slick spots from overnight snow.
.jpg){kind=link}