Winter weather warning, advisories issued across Utah
Dec 14, 2021, 11:31 AM
SALT LAKE CITY — Winter weather is set to return to Utah Tuesday following a warm, windy afternoon, and several warnings and advisories are in effect.
“Valley rain will change over to snow Tuesday night, as the cold air moves in, producing a couple of inches of valley snow by Wednesday morning. Highs will fall into the 30s, with lows dipping into the teens,” KSL meteorologist Kevin Eubank said.
A winter weather advisory will go into effect most of the Wasatch Front, Wasatch Back, Cache Valley and portions of central and southwestern Utah at 11 p.m. Tuesday. It lasts until 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Total snow accumulations of 1″ to 4″ are expected along the valley floors with 3″ to 6″ along the eastern benches.
Meteorologists say the heaviest snowfall is expected late Tuesday evening through Tuesday night, which will likely impact Wednesday’s morning commute.
A winter storm warning goes into effect for Utah’s mountains at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Wednesday morning, and higher elevations could see 10″ to 20″ of snow, along with winds up to 50 mph.
“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” officials with the National Weather Service said.
The Utah Department of Transportation expects impaired travel conditions along I-15 from Cedar City to the Utah-Idaho border and I-80 from Tooele to the Utah-Wyoming border.
Road Weather Alert: Statewide winter storm will bring significant mountain snow and impact lower valleys Tuesday night into Wednesday afternoon. For more info: https://t.co/4P1gO2bC4Q#utwx #utsnow @UtahTrucking pic.twitter.com/SAaUCeFMmW
— UDOT Traffic (@UDOTTRAFFIC) December 13, 2021
“At least light road snow will be a concern across most routes in the state except near St. George, where snowfall is possible but without major road impacts,” UDOT officials said.
A high wind warning is in effect for western Utah through 6 p.m. Tuesday, and wind gusts of nearly 70 mph have been reported in Tooele County.
Westbound I-80 was temporarily closed after a semi-truck was blown over by high winds a few miles west of Tooele.