SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — As the next wave of unsettled weather moves into Utah, a Winter Advisory has been issued for northern Utah from Logan to Nephi, including Park City and the western Uinta Mountains.
The New Year will kick off with valley rain and mountain snow that is expected to move into Utah by the afternoon. The National Weather Service said this story could become “heavy at times” late Wednesday into Thursday morning, creating some hazardous conditions, particularly for the I-15 and I-80 corridors.
A Winter Advisory, represented by the areas shaded in purple, is scheduled to go into effect on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 (Courtesy: National Weather Service)
The Winter Advisory officially goes into effect at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, and is set to expire at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2. During this time, about six to 12 inches of snow are expected to accumulate in the higher elevations, with up to 18 inches possible for the Upper Cottonwoods.
The heavy snow and rainfall could impact driving conditions, especially on mountain routes. The National Weather Service advised drivers to prepare for winter driving conditions and to allow for more time for travel. Traction Restrictions are also possible for Utah’s canyons.
The Utah Department of Transportation said drivers in the Cottonwood Canyons should expect weather-related delays with road snow and ice.
UDOT said it is expecting snow until Thursday morning with three to five inches of road snow in the upper canyons and up to two inches of snow in the mid to lower parts of the canyons.
“Be prepared for all road conditions. Traction restrictions can go into effect at any time,” UDOT warned on social media. “Plan for delays or stopped traffic if snow arrives early. Reduce your speeds and don’t drive distracted. Fill your carpool or wait for the ski bus.”
Earlier this week, an overnight storm and a high volume of drivers headed for a day on the slopes caused traffic headaches for both Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons.
The storm brought over eight inches of fresh snow to the Alta Ski Area in Little Cottonwood Canyon and more than five inches of snow to Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The storm snow-packed the roads at the higher elevations and created icy, slippery conditions. The Utah Department of Transportation the road conditions caused multiple slide-offs.
Thankfully, there were no injuries.
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