Back-to-back October storms and a strengthening El Niño pattern have Lion Flow recommending that Northern Utah homeowners schedule heat tape installation before winter.
Ogden, UT (PRUnderground) October 20th, 2026
Lion Flow, a Northern Utah heat tape installation company serving homeowners from Ogden to Logan, is urging residents to schedule heat tape installation now as an unusually active start to the 2026-27 winter season sets in. Remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel combined with a Pacific storm system to bring the first significant mountain snow of the season to the Wasatch Range in mid-October, more than a month earlier than many resorts typically see their opening storm.¹
Federal forecasters have also pointed to a strengthening El Niño pattern that could persist into early 2027, a pattern some meteorologists believe is similar to the one that happened during the winter of 1982-83, which became one of Utah's snowiest winters on record.² Lion Flow said the early pattern is reason enough for homeowners to get ahead of ice dam season instead of waiting for the first hard freeze.
Heat tape, also known as heat cable, works by keeping meltwater moving along a roof's eaves and valleys and through the gutter system, so water does not refreeze into a dam that causes meltwater to pool on the roof. Though some companies focus on the roof, Lion Flow's complete heat tape solution includes the roof and gutters. This approach helps keep water from freezing along the drainage route from the shingles to the ground. It's also a strategy Lion Flow believes works best as a preventative measure.
"Nobody wants to be thinking about how they can prevent ice dams when there's already snow on the roof, and temperatures are dropping," said Zander Caffall, owner of Lion Flow. "We encourage homeowners to look at their roofs now and ask questions. If you're not sure whether you need heat tape, schedule an evaluation. We can help identify potential problem spots and install cable in those areas."
Lion Flow's professional heat tape installations pair commercial-grade, self-regulating heat cable with a thermostatic controller, so the system runs only during cold weather and increases heat output in colder areas of the roof. This automation relieves homeowners of the responsibility of turning the system on and off throughout the winter. To protect the cable, Lion Flow uses reinforced clips and cable guards, and each installation includes a workmanship warranty.
Lion Flow's service area covers Davis, Weber, and Box Elder counties, as well as part of Cache County, including Ogden, Layton, Brigham City, Bountiful, Farmington, and Logan. To learn more about Lion Flow's ice dam prevention services or to schedule a free quote, visit HeatTapeUtah.com.
¹www.kpcw.org/park-city/2026-10-12/wasatch-back-records-first-snow-dusting-of-2026-2027-season
²www.ksl.com/article/news/utah/environment/super-el-nio-is-coming-what-does-that-mean-for-utah-ski-resorts/51605488
