SOME PRESENT!

On the first (official) day of winter, Mother Nature gave to me . . . at least 3 to 5 inches of snow in the Salt Lake Valley and 1 to 2 feet in the mountains. That was the forecast of William J. Alder, meteorologist in charge of the Salt Lake office of the National Weather Service, as another in a series of winter storms moved into the Salt Lake Valley Wednesday. The front, which passed the Salt Lake International Airport about 10:30 a.m., caused havoc in downtown Salt Lake City for motorists such as these on Main Street. The storm deposited 3 to 8 inches overnight in the mountains. Park City, Brighton and Deer Valley ski resorts all received 8 inches. More storms are waiting to move into Utah. They're forecast for Friday and Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The valleys could receive 2 to 4 inches, and the mountains should receive even larger amounts Friday.