Lake-effect snow, icy roads lead to messy morning commute

SALT LAKE CITY — Several crashes have been reported across northern Utah as drivers deal with slick and icy roads.

KSL meteorologist Kristen Van Dyke said lake-effect snow will continue throughout Tuesday morning. That, combined with freezing conditions means morning commuters will run into snowy, icy roads.

SNOWY AND ICY conditions! Over a dozen crashes along the wasatch front and wasatch back this morning. Stay home if you can and SLOW DOWN if you need to head out!!! 🌨🚙🙏 @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/fd23s3Z0zA

— Katija Stjepovic (@KSLKatija) November 29, 2022

Utah Department of Transportation crews worked overnight to prep the roads for the morning commute and resumed their work earlier this morning.

“We’ll have fresher legs out when that time comes, and then we’ll definitely be tackling the roadways before the morning commute and make sure it’s not slick for everybody to get to and from (work),” said Andre Erebia, a transportation tech 3 lead for UDOT in Centerville.

Morning crashes

State troopers responded to over a dozen crashes Tuesday morning and urged drivers to slow down due to road conditions.

A jackknifed semi-truck was blocking part of southbound I-15 in Provo while both directions of state Route 50 were closed in Millard County, about 26 miles from the I-15 junction in Scipio.

Right before you hit the Center Street exit in Provo, there’s about 6 cars that have either stopped with hazards or have wrecked. Spotting 4 police cars around this area monitoring the roads/responding! @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/TAf4UslqLx

— Karah Brackin (@KB_ON_TV) November 29, 2022

Emergency crews also responded to crashes on U.S. Highway 191 in San Juan County, state Route 201 in Salt Lake County and I-15 throughout Salt Lake and Davis counties.

Icy conditions on I-215 along SLC’s east bench led to several stalled or stopped vehicles.

A school bus is stopped on NB I-215 approaching the 4500 South exit in Holladay. The East Side Belt is so icy and steep that many vehicles, including the bus, cannot make it up the hill. pic.twitter.com/LYJBRymzbg

— Heather Kelly (@KSLHeatherKelly) November 29, 2022

Lake effect snow continues to make it messy in Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties. Expect low visibility and heavy, blowing snow at times. #utwx pic.twitter.com/J8Ku33MjFU

— Kristen Van Dyke (@kvandykewx) November 29, 2022

Overnight, first responders were called out to a series of crashes on the westbound I-80 to northbound Bangerter Highway ramp, near the Salt Lake City airport.

Sgt. Cameron Roden with the Utah Highway Patrol said up to eight vehicles were involved, and one person suffered moderate injuries.

KSL meteorologist Kristen Van Dyke said showers will wind down by late morning and temperatures will plummet tonight with lows in the teens. The weather pattern remains active with another chance for snow by Friday.

Schools mostly operating as normal

The Alpine, Canyons, Granite and Salt Lake City school districts have announced they plan to hold classes on their normal schedules Tuesday.

Officials urged parents and students to plan on some extra commute time due to road conditions.

The Davis School District announced it will run on a two-hour delay Tuesday.

Due to snow accumulation, schools in the Davis School District will implement a two-hour late start on Tuesday, November 29.

High schools will start at 9:30 a.m., junior highs at 10:10 and elementary schools at 10:50. All district school busses will be on a two-hour delay. pic.twitter.com/3W9a1jvsFT

— DavisSchools (@DavisSchools) November 29, 2022