El Nino may well leave Utah with a sackful of February weather medals.

Even if we don't see another flake of snow before month's end, 1998 will record the third-largest February precipitation amount in state history."We've already got the bronze, and the silver is in reach," said National Weather Service spokesman William Alder, enlisting some last-gasp Olympic lingo.

So far, 2.66 inches of statewide precipitation has been recorded - more than double the February normal of 1.23.

Tuesday's snowfall could push the water numbers above the second-place mark of 2.84, although the all-time February record of 3.22 is likely out of reach.

A southbound storm moved into the Cache Valley just before midnight, dumping eight inches in North Logan and six at Utah State University.

The storm pattern followed a cold front south early Tuesday. The town of Park City received a remarkable 18 inches of snow Monday night, Alder said.

The mountains were also blessed.

Two to three inches were falling each hour on the Cottonwood ski resorts, prompting an all-day winter storm warning in Utah mountains.

Up to six inches were expected to collect on Wasatch Front valleys Tuesday, "with more accumulating on the benches," Alder said.

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Wet weather also stretched into southern Utah. Although water was reportedly running well below bankful, a flood warning was issued Tuesday on the Santa Clara River where depths quickly fluctuate.

Expect much of the same through Thursday.

Temperatures will cap in the 40s, and precipitation will continue.

"We'll likely see more white stuff than rain," Alder added.

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