Snow could replace northern Utah smog on Th..

Weather • Expected storm may clear air, but cold and snow could snarl travel.

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

After 10 days of below freezing temperatures and gunky air, relief may be in sight.

The National Weather Service is predicting a storm later this week that should clear the air in northern Utah. And that's good news because on Monday, northern Utah earned the dubious distinction of having the worst air quality in the nation. Provo, Logan, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Brigham City, in that order, had the most unhealthy air quality in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency's website, AIRNow.gov.

The forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of snow in northern Utah on Thursday, with a high of 38 degrees. A smaller chance of snow is also predicted for Friday and Saturday.

The storm front won't bring much warmth, however: Friday through Sunday, highs in Salt Lake City will hover around 25 degrees, with lows in the mid-teens.

While the air is expected to become clearer, the statewide storm could make travel hazardous beginning Thursday night. In northern valleys, up to two inches of snow is possible Thursday through Friday, while northern mountains could see accumulations of up to 14 inches.

Even southern deserts could see snow, according to the weather service. The forecast for St. George on Thursday calls for rain, with a chance of snow Thursday night through Friday. The expected high on Friday is 41 degrees, with a low near 22.

Snow could replace northern Utah smog on Thursday