textproduct: Salt Lake City

KEY MESSAGES

- A prolonged inversion period will set up this weekend across the northern valleys and persist through at least Thursday. This will result in an increase in haze, nocturnal fog, and a degradation in air quality.

DISCUSSION

High pressure continues to build into the region this afternoon, with areas of stratus continuing across portions of northern Utah. As the sunsets this evening, areas with snow cover will be most at risk for dense fog.

This will be the story over the weekend and into next week...as mid-level warm air advection strengthens valley inversions. With an effective lid over the northern valleys, increasing particulate concentrations, evaporating snow (in relevant locations) will increase haze and decrease air quality. Dense fog and/or stratus will become an increasing threat.

The best chance to break up valley inversions looks to be Wednesday into Thursday, but this is something that needs to be monitored as guidance spread is still significant.

REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING

Light northwesterly winds prevail for most regional terminals through this evening. A lower stratus deck is persisting over the northwest portion of the airspace, and may linger across far northern Utah through the morning Saturday. Otherwise, dry conditions with clear skies prevail across the remainder of the airspace.

&&

SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

UT...None. WY...None.