Snow began blanketing Utah on Monday morning, with winter storm warnings all the way the state’s border with Idaho through Cedar City and major accumulations expected.
This storm “will impact a large portion of the state” Monday through early Tuesday, said a spokesperson for the National Weather Service, and is expected to drop four to eight inches of snow in the Salt Lake City area, 15 to 25 inches in the Wasatch Mountains, and 10 to 20 inches in the state’s other northwestern mountain ranges.
The heaviest snowfall is expected between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., which could be a headache for commuters, and the snow may continue until 10 p.m.
Motorists traveling for the three-day weekend should be aware that some travel “could be hazardous,” the National Weather Service said, especially in the higher mountain passes such as Parleys Summit, and also along Interstate 15 near the Cove Fort area in central Utah. According to the Utah Highway Patrol, officers are dealing with multiple accidents along the Wasatch front on Monday morning and the canyons are a mess.
High winds are also reducing visibility and snow drifting across the roads. Travelers are advised to keep extra clothing, food, water, a flashlight and other supplies in their vehicle.
Avalanche danger is considered high in the western Uinta Mountains through Monday morning and considerable in the Bear River and Wasatch mountain ranges.
Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 20s on Tuesday, with only a slight chance of more snow in the Salt Lake City area. Another, smaller snowstorm could arrive on Wednesday afternoon, when temperatures reach the mid-30s.
