Southern Utah! It’s The End Of The World (Not)!

The panic porn distributors were out in full force this morning with news of our weather for the next 24 hours or so. This is what our news service said was the information we had to pass on to the public today.

The National Weather Service has forecast up to ten inches of snow for some parts of the region, and up to 15 inches in the Tushar mountain range and Brian Head area.

Sounds pretty gruesome, right? Batten down the hatches and stay at home for the day because we're about to get snow the likes of which we've never seen in the valleys of southern Utah, except for St. George, of course.

The story does correctly point out that southwest Utah has been put under a Winter Weather Advisory for the period beginning at midnight tonight (Monday) and lasting until 4p.m on Tuesday.

But what the story failed to point out was that the numbers they were quoting was from the Winter Weather Advisory for the mountains of southern Utah. 10-15 inches (or more!) for the mountains here in the southern portion of the state would be tremendous.

However, when you look at the advisory that applies to the valley locations in the area, the story is different. That forecast indicates 2-5 inches for the Sanpete Valley and valley's along the I-15 corridor. To areas west of the I-15 corridor the forecast is for “up to” 2 inches.

Not as dramatic as 10-15 inches.

When I looked at the Cedar City specific forecast, it mentioned up to 1 inch of snow tonight and another 1 to 2 inches on Tuesday.

Now, some stipulations. Could there be ten inches of snow tonight in Cedar City? Absolutely! If I've learned anything observing the weather here for the last 30 years is that we can get surprised. And, if we end up just getting the three inches of snow, will people still drive like maniacs on the road? I think that goes without saying.

And of course, be it 10 or 3 inches, whatever snow we do get tonight, it will be gone by the weekend.

I guess I'm trying to, in this case, be a more reasonable voice when most of the media wants us in a panic mode. Panic gets clicks on websites. Panic has eyes glued to the news. Panic leads to irrational decisions. Panic is a terrible way to live a life.

Preparation is a much better way. Preparation allows us to face foreseeable circumstances without going into fear.

Get our free mobile app

Preparation lets you, the next time there is a legitimate forecast of ten inches of snow for your neighborhood, say bring it on.