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.

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,

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

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.

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.