Salt Lake City started Sunday, May 17, with cool, clear skies and temperatures in the mid‑40s, but the calm will not last long. A Pacific storm is set to push much colder air into northern Utah later today, bringing a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms and a stretch of steadier rain and mountain snow from Sunday night into Monday, May 18, 2026. Expect wet roads, cooler daytime highs, and a quick return to wintry conditions in the high country.
Afternoon And Evening Turn Wet
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop after noon on Sunday, May 17, with a daytime high near 57°F before temperatures slip into the low 50s by late afternoon. Northwest winds should run a light to moderate 3–10 mph, but stronger gusts are possible with any more intense storm cells. The main window for steadier rain arrives Sunday night into Monday, when rain chances climb, and new rainfall totals of a few tenths of an inch are possible, according to the National Weather Service.
Mountain Travel And Snow
Snow levels are forecast to fall to around 5,500–6,000 feet late Sunday night into Monday morning, which could lay down accumulating snow on passes and high valleys, particularly in the Uintas and adjacent southwest Wyoming. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for those higher terrain zones, and heavier totals are likely at the very highest elevations. Drivers planning mountain travel on Monday should be ready for slushy roads, reduced traction and possible chain requirements on some routes, according to the National Weather Service.
What This Means For Commuters
Wet roads and reduced visibility may slow the Sunday evening commute, so give yourself extra time and watch for standing water. If you are heading into the mountains Monday morning, plan on slushy or briefly icy stretches on canyon roads and think about postponing any nonessential trips. Flights into Salt Lake City International Airport should run mostly on schedule early Sunday, but light rain is expected to increase by evening, so travelers should check with their airlines for the latest updates before heading out.
Looking Ahead
Colder conditions start to relax by Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with highs bouncing back into the mid‑60s under mostly sunny skies. By Wednesday and through late week, temperatures climb into the 70s for a quick return to more typical spring weather. Keep the layers handy this week: it will feel more like April on Sunday and more like late May by the middle of the week.
