Utah Sees Break from Storms, But Inversions Linger

Warmer, drier weather expected through the weekend, but valley inversions will develop with increasing haze.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:23am

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After a fast-moving storm brought a few inches of valley and mountain snow yesterday, Northern Utah is now seeing widespread fog that will thin out by midday. High pressure will bring warmer, dry weather through the weekend, but valley inversions will develop with increasing haze.

Why it matters

Utah's winter weather patterns often include periods of storms followed by high-pressure systems that can lead to dangerous inversions, trapping pollutants in the valleys. This cycle impacts air quality, transportation, and daily life for residents.

The details

The storm that moved through yesterday was a quick one, but it did bring some snowfall. Behind the storm, low-level moisture has led to widespread fog, mainly from Salt Lake County up into Idaho. The fog is expected to thin out by midday. As the storm system moves north, high pressure will bring warmer and drier weather through the weekend, with temperatures climbing 10-15 degrees above average. However, this high pressure will also allow valley inversions to develop, leading to increasing haze and potentially keeping some valleys cooler than expected if the inversions become strong enough.

  • Yesterday, the fast-moving storm brought a few inches of valley and mountain snow.
  • This morning, widespread fog has developed across Northern Utah, mainly from Salt Lake County into Idaho.
  • By midday, the patchy fog is expected to thin out.
  • Through the weekend, high pressure will bring warmer, drier weather, with temperatures climbing 10-15 degrees above average.

The players

Northern Utah

The region of Utah that includes Salt Lake City and areas to the north, which is experiencing the weather patterns described in the story.

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The takeaway

Utah's winter weather patterns often include cycles of storms followed by high-pressure systems that can lead to dangerous inversions, trapping pollutants in the valleys. This ongoing challenge requires vigilance from residents and officials to monitor air quality and take appropriate actions to protect public health.