Utah forecast: Mild winter weather pattern settles in

Northern Utah has settled into a mild winter forecast at the mid-week of partly cloudy days moderately above freezing and chilling nighttime lows in the teens.

The National Weather Service pegged highs Thursday in the upper-30s, a few degrees warmer than Wednesday's forecast. Overnight lows were to range in the teens to mid-20s.

Southern Utahns looked for highs in the low- to mid-50s with overnight lows in the upper-20s to mid-30s under mostly sunny skies.

However, as the state's recent storms faded, air quality was once more beginning to degrade in forecasts eyeing the latter part of this week. The Utah Division of Air Quality began Wednesday with "Green," or healthy breathability grades statewide, but predicted "Yellow," or compromised air quality levels Thursday for Utah, Weber and Cache counties.

Salt Lake County, marginally at least, technically remained at satisfactory air quality. That could change, however, as air monitors throughout the state's most-populated valley continued to sniff the air over the next couple days.

Recent mountain snowfall kept the risk for dangerous backcountry snowslides elevated. The Utah Avalanche Center rated the Uinta and Moab mountain areas at "considerable" risk, while the Wasatch Front's slopes were rated at "moderate."

Salt Lake City's forecast high of 35 Wednesday was to be followed Thursday with a 40-degree reading; Ogden looked for 32 and 38 degrees, respectively; Provo 37 and 43; Logan 27 and 32; Wendover 33 and 39; Duchesne 30 and 38; Cedar City 38 and 44; St. George 56 and 58; and Moab 42 and 45 degrees.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims