First snow of the season: Utah’s snow-capped mountains start their return for winter

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — The long Utah summer days are slowly coming to an end and the change of the seasons was signaled on Tuesday morning as Alta Ski Area revealed the state’s snow-capped mountains are returning.

The photo comes from a mountain camera overlooking Sugarloaf Peak. While plenty of grass can still be seen, there is an unmistakable layer of fresh snow on the ground and frosting trees.

Not quite ready for winter yet? Don’t let these images scare you. Snow is not in the 4Warn Forecast for the valley. According to Summit Post, Sugarloaf Peak’s summit is at about 11,000 feet, making it one of the first places in Utah to see snow every year.

Utahns can expect snow to start impacting the valley beginning in October, according to data from the National Weather Service . In the years dating back to 1999, trace amounts of snow begin to fall starting in October before heavier snowfall blankets the state in November. December, January, and February tend to bring the most snowfall to Utah before the winter season begins to thaw in March.

The first snowfall for 2024 is the result of a sharp cold front moving into the Beehive State , rapidly dropping temperatures throughout the state. Alta reports elevations of 10,400 feet were at 33 degrees Fahrenheit (or .5 degrees Celcius) as of Tuesday mor

The near-freezing temperatures paired with the fall storm bringing in rain into the state was the perfect recipe for the return of Utah’s snow-capped mountains.

The first snowfall of the year comes just a couple of weeks later than it did in 2023. Snowbird Ski Resort celebrated the first snowfall on Sept. 4 last year , showing falling snow at Hidden Peak, also perched at about 11,000 feet. It should come as no surprise Hidden Peak also received a dose of snow from the overnight storm, with officials reporting “several inches” as of Tuesday morning.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.