Ski beach weather to close out lackluster winter season

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After a significant cool down in temperatures this weekend, temperatures are expected to rebound by Tuesday and warm to near 25-degrees above normal by Wednesday. Utah is on the back end of the storm forecast to arrive Saturday afternoon, catching only a glancing shot of 1 – 4' of snow for the Wasatch by Sunday morning above 7500 feet, but with much colder temperatures to follow Sunday and Monday. The best chance for record high temperatures in Salt Lake City will likely be Thursday and Friday as the high-pressure ridge is nearly bullseyed over Utah.

Why it matters

This unseasonably hot weather pattern in mid-March is highly unusual for the region and could have significant impacts on the ski season, outdoor recreation, and the local economy that relies heavily on winter tourism.

The details

The existing record of 79°F for Wednesday, March 18, will also be very close to being broken. The existing historical records drop to 75 degrees for March 19 and 20, so these have a better chance of being eclipsed by this hot weather pattern. For context, the earliest 80-degree day ever recorded in Salt Lake was on March 31, set in 2012.

• The best chance for record high temperatures in Salt Lake City will likely be Thursday and Friday (March 19-20, 2026).
• The high-pressure system is expected to remain centered over the southwest through at least next Saturday (March 22, 2026).

What’s next

The weather models currently show little relief through the end of the 10-day forecast period, so the impacts of this heat wave on the ski season and local economy will continue to be monitored.