Utah forecast: Spring-like days, wintry nights

The calendar declares we still have a couple more weeks of winter. Well, Ma Nature must've lost her day planner.

The forecast for Utah finds daytime temperatures on Tuesday flirting with spring, while overnight readings are chilly reminders that the Vernal Equinox doesn't debut until March 20.

The National Weather Service predicts highs Tuesday approaching 50 degrees after overnight lows in the mid-30s along the Wasatch Front. To the south, spring-like weather is gaining an even firmer grip, with sunny skies and highs in the upper-60s in the wake of overnight lows in the mid-40s.

The state's air quality is improving, too. The Utah Division of Air Quality has "Green," or healthy breathability banners flying for all Wasatch Front locales; only eastern Utah's Uintah and Duchesne counties remain in the "Yellow," or compromised air quality realm, heading toward mid-week.

The Utah Avalanche Center, however, warns that the risk for dangerous backcountry snow slides remains elevated. The Logan area mountains were at "considerable" avalanche risk and the rest of the state's mountains were tagged with "moderate" risk ratings.

Salt Lake City's high temperature Tuesday was pegged at 47, up from Monday's forecast of 42 degrees; Ogden 46 and 41 degrees, respectively; Provo 50 and 45; Logan 38 and 39; Wendover 42 and 39; Duchesne 41 and 43; Cedar City 58 and 46; St. George 69 and 68; and Moab 54 and 53 degrees.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims