SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's mountains received a much-needed jolt from an atmospheric river that passed through the state before Thanksgiving. The rain and snow were welcomed after a relatively slow start to the water year. Utah's recent storm brought significant snowfall, with some resorts receiving about 2 feet of new snow.

New snow will be waiting for skiers and snowboarders as more areas open for the season in the next couple of days.

Significant snow is expected across all of Utah's mountains through Nov. 27. The National Weather Service said anyone with travel plans ahead of Thanksgiving that include mountain routes should be prepared for very difficult travel. In preparation for the ski season, the Utah Avalanche Center has started its daily avalanche forecast.

Snowbird was dusted with a couple of inches of snow overnight and more is expected as the Little Cottonwood Canyon prepares to open on Thanksgiving Day. “This fresh snow, coupled with continued snowmaking,

Utah’s Thanksgiving week kicked off with a blanket of fresh snow, thrilling snowboarders and playful pups alike, while snowplows hit the roads to clear the way for busy holiday travelers.

Both wind and snow weather alerts are hitting Utah on Saturday and Sunday as winter weather hits the Beehive State.