SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — This report is being updated throughout the day as important weather and traffic news happens. Refresh your browser for the most recent version.
The 2News Weather Team will be keeping you updated on air, online, and on the 2News Weather App.
10 a.m. Update from KUTV Chief Meteorologist Lindsay Storrs: First Alert Weather day canceled
A cold front is currently exiting Utah and moving into western Colorado, taking the heaviest snow off to the east with it. The Wasatch Front and I-15 corridor are seeing snow taper off at this point. Scattered snow showers will continue on-and-off through the rest of the day—including a few for the evening commute. These showers will only produce light snow with minimal accumulations.
A lake effect band may form south and southeast of the Great Salt Lake later this evening and into the overnight hours. Should it develop, it could bring an additional dusting to 2″ of snow to the Salt Lake and Tooele Valleys. Any lake bands that form should end in time for tomorrow morning’s commute.
We’ll get a quick break from the snow tomorrow before a couple more storms clip the state later this week—one Thursday and one Saturday. These storms look weaker and warmer than today’s system.
9:30 a.m. Scattered snow showers expected for remainder of the day
After a morning of heavy snow, and some impressive accumulation in areas, the winter weather is forecasted to remain as scattered snow showers that are expected to weaken toward the evening.
The possibility that a band of lake-enhanced snow could form for the evening commute in Salt Lake City remains. Areas south and southeast of the Great Salt Lake could see another round of snow into the night.
This band of snow will be arriving around the same time Tuesday’s Winter Storm Warning expires at 6 p.m.
“Additional snow accumulation is likely tonight into Wednesday morning southeast of the Great Salt Lake. If this lake effect snow remains in a coherent, persistent band, the Winter Storm Warning may need to be extended.”
8:30 a.m. Little Cottonwood reopens — with a warning
The Utah Department of Transportation had multiple alerts in place during the 8 a.m. hour for issues caused by the winter weather that spanned the state.
In Salt Lake County, Little Cottonwood Canyon road was closed all morning for avalanche mitigation, but crews had it reopened around 8:30 a.m.
UDOT cautioned drivers heading up the canyon, though:
“More snow is forecasted today,” according to a statement to the UDOT Cottonwood Canyons X account. “Keep this in mind for your PM commute and planning your downhill departures, lest you want to be stuck in the canyon late tonight. Please leave for home early (before 3 p.m.)
Traction laws remained active in both Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons.
In central Utah, a 10-mile stretch of state Route 143 in Iron County is closed from Brian Head to the Iron-Panguitch county line.
Also in the central area of the state, authorities were warning drivers about I-15 from Cedar City to Scipio.
“Roads snow covered,” according to the UDOT alert. “Plow operations are in progress. Slow down and do not pass.”
7:15 a.m. High winds couple with snow for hazardous driving conditions
Strong winds with gusts up to 60 mph are hammering western Utah today, creating hazardous travel conditions amid the late-season storm.
The winds will continue even as the snow begins tapering off later Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued a high wind warning for the the West Desert, including Dugway, Park Valley and Wendover. The warning is in effect until noon.
“High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages,” According to NWS. “Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles and vehicles with trailers.”
Strong cross winds are expected along I-80 across western Utah, with the most severe condition near the Raft River Mountains, where isolated gusts could reach 60 mph.
Snow is likely to pick back up again this evening for the Salt Lake Valley southeast of the Great Salt Lake, thanks to another band of lake-enhanced snow.
6:30 a.m.: Heaviest snow during the earlier parts of the commute
A powerful late-winter storm is bringing significant snowfall to much of Utah and is expected to continue through Tuesday, though it’s likely to begin tapering off as the day moves on.
The storm system could drop 8-12 inches on Park City and the Salt Lake Valley, with 4-6 inches expected in nearby Tooele and Provo.
“The later you can push your commute,” KUTV Chief Meteorologist Lindsay Storrs said, “the better.”
“Commuters in the Salt Lake Valley or surrounding areas should consider postponing their Tuesday morning commute until the heavy band tapers,” according to the National Weather Service.
Snow showers will continue into Tuesday night’s commute, though they won’t be as widespread, though a band of lake-enhanced snow will likely impact Salt Lake City to Park City into the night, before moving west slightly to the Tooele area.
Areas like Logan and Brigham City are expected to receive 2-3 inches of snow, while southwestern Utah near Cedar City and Bryce Canyon could see 1-2 inches.
The snow is expected to wrap up overnight.
And while the storm will be waning through the day, the winds won’t be.
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