A large and very moist Pacific storm system brought widespread heavy precipitation to Utah over a five day period. The storm pulled a continuous stream of tropical moisture ahead of it and, combined with numerous embedded shortwaves, resulted in almost non-stop rainfall across many of the lower elevations and wet, heavy snow in the mountains.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN MOUNTAINS, UTAH
From 19-DEC-10 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-10 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Midway Valley SNOTEL received 10.20 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation, or approximately 70 inches of new snow over the 5-day event.

Winter Storm in WESTERN UINTA BASIN, UTAH
From 20-DEC-10 08:00:00 to 22-DEC-10 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm totals in the Uinta Basin included 28 inches of snow in Altamont and 27 inches in Duchesne.

Winter Storm in SANPETE/SEVIER VALLEYS, UTAH
From 20-DEC-10 13:00:00 to 21-DEC-10 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm total snowfall included 21 inches in Salina and 20 inches in Richfield.

Winter Storm in WEST CENTRAL UTAH, UTAH
From 20-DEC-10 16:00:00 to 21-DEC-10 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Fillmore received 21 inches of new snow. Other reports included 16 inches in Oak City and 9 inches in Delta.

Winter Storm in SOUTHWEST UTAH, UTAH
From 20-DEC-10 17:00:00 to 21-DEC-10 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Milford received 15 inches of new snow.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN WASATCH FRONT, UTAH
From 20-DEC-10 04:00:00 to 21-DEC-10 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The southern Wasatch Front received heavy snowfall in the southwesterly flow, with 28 inches of snow recorded in Levan, 26 inches in Nephi, and 22 inches in Santaquin.

Winter Storm in WASATCH PLATEAU/BOOK CLIFFS, UTAH
From 18-DEC-10 07:00:00 to 23-DEC-10 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Indian Canyon SNOTEL received 7.30 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation, or approximately 58 inches of snow based on snow ratios at similar elevations.

Winter Storm in WASATCH MOUNTAINS I-80 NORTH, UTAH
From 18-DEC-10 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-10 02:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Ben Lomond Peak SNOTEL received 9.00 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation, or approximately 65 inches of snow based on snow ratios at similar elevations. Snowbasin Resort also reported 43 inches of new snow for the event.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, UTAH
From 19-DEC-10 02:00:00 to 23-DEC-10 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Buck Flat SNOTEL received 5.80 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation for the storm, or approximately 50 inches of new snow.

Winter Storm in WASATCH MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, UTAH
From 20-DEC-10 04:00:00 to 22-DEC-10 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

New snowfall in the Wasatch mountain valleys included 25 inches in Heber City, 22 inches in Park City, 16 inches at Deer Creek Dam, 13 inches in Morgan, and 12 inches in Eden.

Winter Storm in WESTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS, UTAH
From 18-DEC-10 01:00:00 to 23-DEC-10 00:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Brown Duck SNOTEL received 6.30 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation, or approximately 55 inches of new snow.

Winter Storm in WASATCH MOUNTAINS SOUTH OF I-80, UTAH
From 18-DEC-10 02:00:00 to 23-DEC-10 06:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm totals for the 5-day event included 84 inches at Brighton Crest, 76 inches at Deer Valley Daly West, 73 inches at Sundance - Mid Mnt., 70 inches at Alta Ski Lifts, 70 inches at Provo Canyon, 54 inches at Solitude Mountain Resort, and 50 inches at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort.

Flood in KANE, UTAH
From 19-DEC-10 15:00:00 to 23-DEC-10 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: KANAB LD ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 800.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

While flooding in Kane County was less than in nearby Washington County, significant damage still occurred. Many roads were closed or impassable due to flood waters, including Highway 14, the 3rd South Connector in Kanab, and US-89 east of Kanab, the last of which had 12 inches of water flowing over the road. A landslide also occurred on US-89 near milepost 93, where debris was approximately 4 feet deep and 50-60 feet wide. Residential flooding occurred in Orderville and Glendale, and many private roads in those two towns were washed out.

Flood in WASHINGTON, UTAH
From 19-DEC-10 12:00:00 to 23-DEC-10 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: GOLDSTRIKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 19.70M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy rain caused widespread significant flooding across Washington County. Rainfall and significantly increased river flows began on December 19th, with many rivers and streams around Zion National Park and St. George near bankfull. Reports of road flooding began on December 20th. SR-9 was closed in Zion National Park due to flooding between the tunnel and Mt. Carmel Junction, and flooding and rockslides occurred on SR-18 between Enterprise and Central.
The worst of the flooding occurred on December 21st, when the flow of the Santa Clara River increased to an estimated 5000 cfs, and the Virgin River near Bloomington was measured at 12400 cfs. Zion National Park was closed due to flooding, and the Zion Park Lodge was evacuated due to the danger of landslides. One historic landslide, in particular, was moving through the day as the riprap structure was eroded away. Old Highway 91 was also closed, as flooding and debris washed out and damaged much of the road. Many other roadways across the county were flooded, including many roads in the city of St. George, many rural roads along the Santa Clara, SR-18 south of Central, in Enterprise along Center Street and Main Street, and the road into Snow Canyon State Park, which closed the park to tourists. Many bridges were damaged or destroyed, including the foot bridge over the Fort Pearce Wash, the Tobin Wash Bridge near Gunlock, a foot bridge at the Sunbrook Golf Course, the bridge at 2500 South in New Harmony, and the bridge at Brookside. Residential flood damage was reported in Enterprise, Springdale, Rockville, and St. George. Contaminated water became a problem along the Virgin River, and culinary water became unavailable in the town of Gunlock. The Southgate Golf Course in St. George suffered extensive damage due to erosion.
Flooding continued on December 22nd. Flood waters damaged a bridge in New Harmony Heights, closed many roadways including a bridge near the Enterprise Reservoir, and up to 15 homes were damaged to varying degrees in Brookside. River flows stayed high on December 23rd before receding.
Damage estimates were obtained from the Utah Emergency Management Association, and included damages of $4.7 million to infrastructure and $15 million to other properties. In addition, $300,000 worth of heavy construction equipment was saved when the NWS forecast office in Salt Lake City called the Washington City Public Works, notifying of them of the upcoming high flows expected on the Virgin River. The Public Works pulled all of their equipment out of the Virgin River, which they said would have been swept away and lost if not for the phone call.