Walk outside in Salt Lake City right now and you'll notice two things immediately. First, it is crisp—maybe even a bit biting if you aren't wearing a decent shell. Second, the horizon is doing that weird, hazy thing where the Wasatch Mountains look like they’re hiding behind a giant sheet of frosted glass.
Honestly, it's classic January in the valley.
As of Friday morning, January 16, 2026, we are sitting at 28°F with a northwest wind that is barely moving at 3 mph. If you were hoping for a massive powder dump to fix the fact that our snowpack is currently lagging at about 75% of normal, I’ve got some bad news. The "storm faucet" that KSL meteorologists were tracking last week has essentially been turned off. High pressure is moving in, and it’s settling in for a long stay.
5 Day Forecast Salt Lake City UT: The Sunny Trap
We are entering a stretch of weather that looks beautiful on a calendar but feels a bit stagnant on the ground. Because the air isn't moving much, we are dealing with a textbook winter inversion. That high pressure acts like a lid on a pot, trapping all the valley’s moisture and emissions right at street level.
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Here is the breakdown of what the next few days actually look like:
- Friday, Jan 16: We’ll hit a high of 39°F. It’s "partly sunny," which is basically code for "sunny but hazy." Tonight, it drops to 26°F.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Tomorrow is arguably the nicest day for a walk at Liberty Park. Expect a high of 42°F and a low of 25°F under clear skies.
- Sunday, Jan 18: This is the peak of the warm-up. We’re looking at a high of 45°F. You might see some people out in shorts, which is wild for mid-January, but that’s Utah for you.
- Monday, Jan 19: Things stay consistent with a high of 42°F. Still sunny. Still clear. Still no snow in sight.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: We’ll finish out this five-day stretch at 44°F. Interestingly, the wind finally shifts to the southeast, but it’s still just a light 3 mph breeze.
The Inversion Problem Nobody Likes
While the 5 day forecast Salt Lake City UT shows nothing but sun icons, the air quality tells a different story. Earlier this week, Salt Lake City actually topped the charts for the worst air quality in the U.S., hitting an AQI of 123. That’s "unhealthy for sensitive groups" territory.
When the forecast says "calm winds" and "sunny skies" in the winter, it usually means the haze is going to thicken. The Utah Division of Air Quality has already been flagging moderate to unhealthy levels of PM 2.5. If you have asthma or just don't like breathing soup, you’ve probably noticed the scratchy throat already.
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The mountains are actually warmer than the valley right now in some spots. It’s a total flip of how physics is supposed to work. Up at the resorts, you're getting that "bluebird day" vibe, but down here at 4,200 feet, we're just marinating.
What About the Snow?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted a "mild" mid-January for the Intermountain West, and they basically nailed it. But "mild" is a double-edged sword. While it’s nice not to shovel the driveway, the Utah Division of Water Resources is pointing out that we are behind schedule.
We had a decent start in October, but November and December were bone dry. We need these "unseasonably warm" days to end if we want to hit that April snowpack peak. Right now, there is zero precipitation in the immediate 5-day outlook. Not even a stray flurry.
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Basically, if you’re planning to head up to Park City or Snowbird, you’re looking at groomed runs and man-made snow rather than fresh refills. The avalanche danger has settled into a "moderate" range because we haven't had new weight on the snowpack, but the old layers are still a bit finicky.
Survival Tips for a Dry, Hazy Week
Since we aren't getting a storm to scrub the air clean, you've gotta manage the stagnant air.
Check the air quality levels before you go for a long run. If the AQI starts creeping back toward that 120 mark, maybe hit the treadmill instead. Also, keep the humidifier running. These 40% humidity levels combined with indoor heating will turn your skin into parchment paper.
Watch for a potential pattern shift toward the end of next week—around Jan 23—where some long-range models suggest we might finally see a return to "periods of rain and snow." Until then, enjoy the 45-degree Sunday, but keep the N95 mask handy if the haze gets too thick.
Actionable Steps for the Week:
- Avoid Wood Burning: The DEQ often implements "no burn" days during these inversions to keep the PM 2.5 from spiking further.
- Head High: If the smog gets depressing, drive up to the top of Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon. You can literally drive out of the brown cloud and into the clear blue.
- Hydrate: It's deceptive, but you lose a lot of moisture in this dry, "mild" air.
- Conserve Water: Since the snowpack is at 75%, it's a good reminder that every bit counts for the Great Salt Lake later this summer.