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.

Utah's rain and snow this week is expected to pass, with dry weather forecast for Thanksgiving and the days after.

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,

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

Valley rain and mountain snow holds into Wednesday. Valleys could see rain transition to snow and winter weather alerts are in place.

Two more Utah ski resorts will open Friday ahead of what could be big snow coming next week. Alta Ski Area will start spinning its lifts at 10 a.m. and Park City Mountain Resort at 9 a.m, both on limited terrain.

It's a cold start in the Beehive state with a few morning lake-effect snow showers scattered around the state.

An “atmospheric river” will funnel ample moisture through the west and into the Beehive State. The first drops of rain will be seen in southwest and central Utah as soon as tonight before wet weather engulfs the entire state by early tomorrow morning and holds through Wednesday.