Snow expected over three days in northern Utah

Parts of northern Utah will remain under a winter weather warning on Monday, with only light accumulation of snow and rain expected in most Wasatch Front communities.

But forecasters warn the storms may dump up to 3 feet of fresh powder in the mountains before the winter storm warning expires at 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City.

The storm is also expected to bring strong winds with gusts of up to 75 mph along the ridge lines.

Areas affected by the warning included the northern Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake desert and Logan, Smithfield, Brigham City, Ogden, Bountiful, Wendover, Park City, Heber City, Snowville, Woodruff, Randolph, Alta and Brighton.

Meteorologists expect at least 10 inches of snow in the valleys north of Ogden between Monday night and Tuesday.

Come Tuesday, when the brunt of the storm sweeps through the Salt Lake Valley, there could be accumulations of at least 6 inches on the valley floor if everything comes together as expected, officials said.

The storm is expected to make travel difficult along parts of interstates 80, 15 and 84 as well as U.S. Highway 89 and 40.

A winter weather advisory is also in place until 4 a.m. Monday for the central Utah mountains, which are expected to receive up to a foot of snow.

Those who want to take advantage of the new powder are urged to use caution navigating the backcountry terrain.

Sunday, the risk of avalanches was "considerable" for all the mountain ranges statewide, according to the Utah Avalanche Center. Backcountry travelers should check the latest avalanche conditions at www.utahavalanchecenter.org or call 888-999-4019.

jstecklein@sltrib.com

Twitter: @sltribjanelle