Salt Lake Valley Getting the Memorial Day Weekend Shaft

A feature sometimes referred to as a deformation band has been sitting over the Salt Lake Valley all morning, spoiling the start of the Memorial Day Weekend.

Such features sometimes develop to the northeast of closed upper-level lows, as is the case today, where there is a subtle shift in the wind.  Note in the image below the slight shift in the wind from northerly or northeasterly to the northwest of the band and more easterly to the east of the band.

These bands tend to be slow moving, and that's why we've been stuck in the rain all morning.  In winter, a band like this can create all sorts of problems as the snow piles up in a narrow corridor.  Today, it's just ruining everyone's golf and picnic plans.