WEATHER

Weekend snowfall causes hazardous driving conditions

Jan 23, 2021, 9:25 AM | Updated: 10:38 am

(Photo Credit: UDOT)

KSLNewsRadio

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) reports many driving delays as this weekend’s snowfall is causing hazardous driving conditions on roads across Utah.

UDOT announced the likely intermittent closures on U.S. 189 in Provo Canyon between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. between Vivian Park and Canyon Glen Park for avalanche control work. There have already been some slide-offs, including one above Storm Mtn in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

As of 8:51 a.m. Saturday, crews were working to clear it and were advising motorists of high traffic volume, complicated by road slush, but mid-Saturday morning traffic was moving.

A tow truck assisted in Big Cottonwood Canyon to retrieve a pickup truck that slid off the road due to the snowfall that caused difficult driving conditions on that road stopping traffic in both directions for a period of time.

#CrashUpdate ⚠️ Tow truck is on the scene and slide off should be clear within 5-10 minutes. Uphill road conditions are looking good. Safe travels and thanks for your patience! ⚠️ #BCCroad #SR190 @UDOTTRAFFIC pic.twitter.com/pvvb3oH4Cm

— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) January 23, 2021

Avalanche warnings are issued by the Utah Avalanche Center in Logan, advising people to avoid travel in avalanche terrain on Saturday and to stay off and out from under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees.

1-23-2021: AVALANCHE WARNING.
AVOID TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN TODAY
Stay off and out from under slopes steeper than about 30 degrees. pic.twitter.com/NnX8UNN8E9

— UAC Logan (@UAClogan) January 23, 2021

The Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center has also issued an avalanche warning for the mountains of northern Utah, including northern Utah, Ogden, Salt Lake, and Provo area mountains through 6 a.m. Sunday, advising that avalanche danger is high.

As of 9 a.m. Saturday, I-15 travel was good with no major accidents or freeway back-ups.

UDOT said via Twitter that the Traction Law has been lifted in both Big and Little Cottonwood canyons.

#RoadWeatherUpdate 🚨The #TractionLaw has been lifted in both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon as canyon road conditions have improved. Roads are running mostly wet with some areas of slush.❄️ #SR190 #SR210 🚨 @UDOTTRAFFIC pic.twitter.com/qmljFsdfmn

— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) January 5, 2021

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