Utah’s Wet Weekend Sparks Memories Of The Famous 1984 Blizzard

We just finished a wet weekend here in Utah. An outdoor concert got cancelled on Saturday in Salt Lake City, and several high school football contests were delayed by storm conditions on Friday evening. Still, so far, what has been falling from the sky has been mostly wet. You might be wondering when the wet will turn to white. You may not have to wait that long.

Utah residents still recall the October 1984 snowstorm as one of the most powerful and disruptive early-season blizzards in state history. Between October 17 and 19, a wet, heavy snow blanketed much of northern Utah, shocking residents who were still enjoying fall weather. In Salt Lake City, 18.4 inches of snow fell within a 24-hour period, setting a record for the city’s largest single-day October snowfall — a mark that still stands today.

Wet, Heavy Snow Caused Considerable Damage

The storm struck unusually early in the season, and because many trees were still covered in leaves, the weight of the dense snow caused widespread damage. Branches snapped across neighborhoods, power lines fell, and roads quickly became impassable. About one-third of Salt Lake City reportedly lost electricity as crews worked around the clock to clear downed lines and debris.

Communities from the Salt Lake Valley to Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, and the University of Utah campus recorded between 20 and 27 inches of snow, transforming the region into a winter landscape overnight. Many residents described the eerie scene of colorful autumn leaves buried beneath mounds of snow — a rare collision of seasons that made the storm especially memorable.

Read More: Utah Boasts The Safest Suburb In The Nation

While no such storm is in the forecast for the Beehive state for this week, this serves as a reminder that the weather here can change to deteriorating conditions very quickly. Even now, if you head up Highway 14 in to Cedar Canyon you will be reminded that your vehicle needs to have snow tire or chains available until April.

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I'm not saying we are going to have another snow storm like the one back in 1984, but being ready for for an early does of poor weather is always a good idea.