Thanksgiving in Utah usually brings crisp air, cool afternoons, and those first hints of winter. Daytime highs in the 40s are pretty standard for northern cities like Salt Lake City.
Mountain towns like Park City get even colder, and by late November, you’ll probably see some snow. Southern Utah, including Saint George, tends to stay milder, with comfy highs in the 50s or low 60s.
This mix makes holiday plans a bit of an adventure. Maybe you’ll hike under a sunny sky in red rock country one day, then bundle up for snow in the Wasatch Mountains the next.
If you know how these regional shifts play out around Thanksgiving, you can prep for travel and outdoor fun without too many surprises.
Utah’s climate is pretty varied, so the holiday season never looks exactly the same everywhere. By understanding typical Thanksgiving weather, the broader November climate patterns, and how geography shapes each region, you can plan with a bit more confidence.
Typical Thanksgiving Weather in Utah
Thanksgiving in Utah usually means cool days, cold nights, and a mix of dry and wet weather depending on your location. The valleys and higher mountain areas can feel like totally different worlds, especially with temperatures and snow chances.
Average High and Low Temperatures
In late November, daytime highs usually hit the low 40s °F (5–7 °C) along the Wasatch Front. Southern Utah near St. George often enjoys the upper 50s °F (13–15 °C).
At night, things get a lot colder. Lows often fall into the 20s °F (-6 to -2 °C) in northern valleys and hover in the 30s °F (0–4 °C) in the south.
Mountain towns like Park City run colder, with highs in the 30s °F (0–3 °C) and lows dipping into the teens. After sunset, you’ll really notice the chill, even if the afternoon felt mild.
Honestly, wearing layers is the best way to stay comfortable all day.
Precipitation Patterns and Snowfall
Late November kicks off the early winter storm season in Utah. Salt Lake City usually sees about 1 inch (25 mm) of precipitation in November, but totals can swing a lot from year to year.
Southern Utah stays drier, while northern valleys and mountain areas get more rain or snow.
Higher elevations often see snow by Thanksgiving. Mountain resorts can get their first real snowfalls of the season, and a single storm can drop several inches.
Valleys might just get light snow showers or cold rain, depending on the storm. Big Thanksgiving snowstorms don’t happen often, but they do show up now and then.
Humidity and Dew Point
Around Thanksgiving, relative humidity in Utah usually sits between 45–65% in the valleys. Southern Utah feels drier, while the north gets a bit more humid during storms.
Cooler air keeps moisture closer to the ground, so mornings can feel damp even when the sky is clear.
Average dew points hover in the 20s °F (-6 to -2 °C) for northern Utah and the 30s °F (0–2 °C) in the south. Utah’s dry climate really shows this time of year.
If you spend a lot of time outside, you’ll probably notice chapped lips or dry skin unless you stay hydrated.
Sunshine and Cloud Cover
Late November skies in Utah are a mix of sun and clouds. On nice days, you’ll get mostly sunny weather and clear views.
When high pressure hangs over the state, valleys can get inversions that trap cold air and haze near the ground.
If storms roll in from the Pacific Northwest, cloud cover jumps up. You’ll see more overcast skies and cooler daytime highs.
Most years, you can expect about 5–6 hours of sunshine each day around Thanksgiving. Mountain areas might get more clouds, especially when storms are active.
Regional Variations Across Utah
Thanksgiving weather in Utah really depends on where you are. Elevation, terrain, and how close you are to the mountains all affect how cold it feels and whether you see snow or mostly dry skies.
Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front
Salt Lake City in late November brings chilly days and cold nights. Highs usually hit the mid-40s °F, and lows drop into the upper 20s °F.
You might get some light snow, but lots of years just bring cloudy or partly sunny days with little accumulation in the valley.
The Wasatch Front gets wetter than most of Utah since storms from the Pacific often hit here first. You’ll see more snow in the foothills and benches than right downtown.
If you’re traveling, remember that mountain passes east of the city can get much heavier snow. Ski resorts in the Wasatch Range often kick off their season around this time, thanks to early winter storms.
Quick facts for Salt Lake City (late November):
- Highs: ~45 °F
- Lows: ~28 °F
- Precipitation: Rain or light snow, heavier in nearby mountains
Eastern Utah and Mountain Areas
Eastern Utah gets colder and snowier than the Wasatch Front, especially in the higher spots. Towns like Vernal or Price usually see highs in the 30s °F and lows in the teens or 20s °F.
Snow is more likely here, especially in the Uinta Mountains and on the Colorado Plateau.
A huge Thanksgiving snowstorm in 1919 dumped over a foot of snow in Grand Junction, just across the border. That kind of storm is rare, but it shows how eastern Utah can get hit hard when the setup is right.
If you’re driving through mountain corridors, watch for icy roads and possible chain restrictions. Lower valleys usually stay cold but mostly dry.
Southern Utah and St. George
Southern Utah has the mildest Thanksgiving weather in the state. In St. George, highs often reach the low to mid-60s °F, and nighttime lows stay in the upper 30s to low 40s °F.
Snow almost never falls in the city itself.
This area has a desert climate, so you get mostly clear skies and low humidity. Rain is rare, and November is usually one of the drier months.
Nearby higher terrain, like Cedar City or Bryce Canyon, can be much colder and might see snow.
The difference between St. George and the mountains is pretty dramatic. You can drive less than two hours and go from mild fall weather to full-on winter conditions.
That’s why southern Utah is a favorite for late fall outdoor adventures when the north is already in winter mode.
November Climate Trends and Monthly Averages
November in Utah brings colder days, shorter daylight, and the first real signs of winter. Temperatures drop fast, precipitation starts shifting to snow in many areas, and winds stay steady but rarely get wild.
These changes set up the winter weather that really takes over in December.
Temperature Ranges in November
Daytime highs fall throughout the month. In northern cities like Salt Lake City, average highs drop from about 57°F early on to 44°F by month’s end.
Nighttime lows range from 38°F down to 29°F. Colder valleys can dip below freezing, especially late in the month.
Central Utah, like Orem, follows a similar pattern—highs cool from the mid-50s to low 40s. Southern Utah, including St. George, stays milder, with average highs near 65°F and lows around 33°F.
Thanksgiving week usually feels chilly in most places. Lows in the 20s or 30s are common, and some years drop into the teens.
If you’re traveling, definitely pack layers—mornings and evenings are much colder than afternoons.
Rainfall and Snowfall Averages
November is a transition month for precipitation. Rain can still happen, but snow becomes more common in northern and higher-elevation areas.
Salt Lake City averages about 1.3 inches of precipitation for the month. Snowfall increases from 0.5 inches at the start to over 2 inches by the end.
Mountain areas get much more snow. Resorts in the Wasatch Range often see their first real snowpack, which can make travel tricky.
Southern Utah, especially around St. George, stays pretty dry with less than 1 inch of rain and almost no snow.
On average, Utah sees 8 to 10 days with measurable precipitation in November. Rain-snow mix days pop up more often as the month goes on, especially in valleys near the Great Salt Lake.
Wind Speed and Weather Events
November winds are usually steady but not intense. Most of Utah gets average wind speeds around 5 to 6 mph.
Breezes often come from the south, especially late in the month when storms roll through.
Canyons and mountain passes can get stronger gusts. These winds might kick up blowing snow during winter storms, especially in northern valleys.
Expect more clouds than in early fall. Skies are partly to mostly cloudy about 40–50% of the time, which keeps daytime highs cooler.
Major storms don’t roll in as often as they do in mid-winter, but November usually brings the first snow events that really matter in the north.
How Thanksgiving Weather Compares to Other Seasons
Thanksgiving in Utah is usually cool during the day, chilly at night, and there’s always a chance for early snow. If you want to really get a feel for it, you have to see how late November stacks up against the rest of the year.
Autumn in Utah
Autumn runs from September through November and is honestly one of the most unpredictable times of year. Early September can still feel like summer, with highs in the 80s in many valleys.
By late November, those same places usually drop to the 40s during the day and 20s at night.
Rainfall stays pretty modest. October is often the wettest autumn month, especially up north, thanks to cold fronts that bring rain to the valleys and snow to the mountains.
You’ll also notice daylight dropping fast and nights turning colder in a hurry. That’s why Thanksgiving feels way closer to winter than summer, even though it’s technically still autumn.
Spring in Utah
Spring slowly warms things up, but it’s still one of the most unpredictable seasons. March is usually cold, with snow hanging on in the mountains and storms hitting the valleys.
By May, daytime highs climb into the 60s and 70s.
Spring is actually pretty wet. April and May bring the most rain in Utah, especially in the north. You’ll see rain showers in the valleys and heavy snow still hitting the higher elevations.
Compared to Thanksgiving, spring days feel milder and wetter, but nights can still be chilly. If you’re planning to get outside, be ready for quick changes in the weather.
Summer in Utah
Summer is when things really heat up. June through August usually means long, sunny days and valley temps soaring above 90°F. July is the hottest, and southern Utah often tops 100°F.
Rain is rare, but late summer monsoon storms can drop in. Those storms are short and intense, with heavy rain, gusty winds, and lightning.
Thanksgiving weather is a world apart from summer—think chilly afternoons and possible snow showers instead of dry heat and sunburns.
Winter Weather Patterns
Winter in Utah runs from December through February and, honestly, it’s the coldest stretch of the year. January is usually the coldest month, with average highs in the 30s and lows in the teens in many valleys.
Snow falls often, especially in northern Utah and the mountains. Storms bring steady snow to ski areas, while valleys get a mix of snow, ice, and sometimes fog.
Thanksgiving weather is milder than what comes later in winter. After the holiday, the cold and snow really settle in for a while.
If you’re traveling in winter, you should expect icy roads and heavier snow. Thanksgiving usually comes just before winter weather really digs in.
Impact of Geography and Natural Features
Utah’s geography creates sharp differences in weather around Thanksgiving. Elevation, big lakes, and desert plateaus all shape how cold it feels, how much snow falls, and whether skies stay clear or cloudy.
Influence of Elevation and Mountains
Elevation really shapes Thanksgiving weather in Utah. The Wasatch Range and Uinta Mountains shoot up above 10,000 feet, but valleys like Salt Lake City sit down around 4,200 feet.
Because of this, you might spot snow in the mountains while the valleys just get rain or a few lazy flurries. In higher towns such as Park City, November highs usually hover near 38°F and lows dip to about 22°F. That makes snow a lot more likely up there.
Meanwhile, Saint George down in the southwest averages highs around 63°F and almost never sees snow at all. Mountains trap cold air in basins. This sometimes leads to temperature inversions, where chilly air hugs the valley floor and warmer air floats above.
Around Thanksgiving, those inversions often bring hazy skies and colder valley temps than you’d expect.
The Role of Salt Lake and the Great Basin
Salt Lake and the Great Basin both shape local weather. The lake’s pretty shallow, but it still throws extra moisture into the air.
That extra moisture can mean more clouds and, when cold air sweeps over the warmer lake water, you’ll sometimes get lake-effect snow on the lake’s eastern side. Folks living just east of Salt Lake, like in Bountiful, often see heavier snow than other valleys nearby.
You’ll notice this effect mostly in late fall and early winter, right around Thanksgiving. The Great Basin’s wide valleys and desert terrain usually bring drier air.
Salt Lake City averages about 1.3 inches of rain and 1 inch of snow in November, which isn’t much compared to what the mountains get.
Colorado River and Southern Utah Climate
The Colorado River and nearby plateaus set the tone for southern Utah’s climate. Lower elevation here means Thanksgiving weather stays much milder than up north.
Saint George, for example, sees daytime highs in the low 60s°F with nights in the 40s°F. The Colorado River basin helps keep the air dry and storm systems pretty rare.
November usually brings less than 0.6 inches of precipitation to this region, and snow almost never shows up. If you’re traveling near Moab or Lake Powell, you’ll probably get clear skies and cool, comfortable afternoons.
Nights can still drop close to freezing, but daytime weather usually lets you hike or head outdoors without bundling up in winter gear.
Travel and Outdoor Planning for Thanksgiving
Late November in Utah swings between cooler temps, shorter days, and the chance of early winter storms. You really have to prepare for both sunny days and sudden weather changes that can mess with your drive or outdoor plans.
Travel Conditions and Safety
Thanksgiving brings some of the heaviest travel traffic in Utah. Major routes like I‑15 and I‑80 slow down, and weather can make things even trickier.
Northern valleys and mountain passes sometimes get snow or icy roads. Try to give yourself extra time for your trip. Even a little snow can cause delays, and wet roads might freeze up overnight.
It’s smart to keep an emergency kit in your car—water, blankets, a flashlight, just in case. If you’re flying into Salt Lake City International Airport, you’ll probably avoid most weather disruptions, but strong winds and snow showers can still mess with flight schedules.
Check the National Weather Service forecast before you leave, so you don’t get caught off guard.
Best Time to Visit Utah in Late Fall
Late fall gives you a mix of cool, manageable weather and way fewer crowds at the popular spots. In northern Utah, daytime temps usually sit in the upper 30s to mid‑40s, and nights get colder.
Southern Utah, like St. George, usually stays about 10 degrees warmer. If you’re after the most stable weather, the days right before or after Thanksgiving are usually your best bet.
Early storms don’t hit southern Utah as often, but northern areas might see a little snow by late November. National park crowds drop sharply after October, so parking and trails tend to be a lot quieter.
Just remember, daylight’s limited—sunset lands around 5 p.m.—so plan your hikes or drives earlier in the day.
Weather in Zion National Park and Key Destinations
A lot of people flock to Zion National Park for Thanksgiving. Daytime highs usually hit the low 50s, but once the sun goes down, temperatures drop into the 30s.
You might see snow at higher spots like Kolob Canyons, but it rarely shows up inside the main canyon.
The cooler weather honestly makes hiking way more pleasant than in the blazing summer. Just make sure you bring layers.
Trails sometimes get slick in the shade, especially where frost sticks around.
Bryce Canyon and Arches feel a lot colder. Bryce usually only reaches the 30s, and there’s a chance of snow there.
Arches tends to stay in the mid‑40s.
These differences really make southern Utah, especially Zion, a better bet for outdoor fun during the holiday.