Winter storm watch forecasts up to 6 inches in Southern Utah valleys, as much as 2 feet in mountains

Stock image from Unsplash, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a winter storm watch for a large portion of the state.

Areas affected by winter storm watch set to go into effect Wednesday night, Dec. 8, 2021 | Map from National Weather Service-Salt Lake City office, St. George News | Click to enlarge

The watch is set to go into effect late Wednesday night and last through Friday afternoon affecting the Southern Utah counties of Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver and Garfield counties, including the cities of Cedar City, Brian Head, Milford, Beaver and others.

According to the winter storm watch, precipitation will begin as rain in many valleys before turning to snow Thursday afternoon.

Travel could be difficult in the affected areas. For the most current conditions, warnings and advisories, go to the National Weather Service-Salt Lake City office website. Additional information on driving conditions can be found at the UDOT website, as well as UDOT’s Commuterlink for current road and weather conditions, or dial 511.

Precautionary and preparedness actions

Download this printable PDF: Vehicle Preparation and Safety Precautions for Winter Weather. This is a project the whole family could participate in – make it a scavenger hunt with potentially lifesaving benefits.

Getting ready

  • Be aware of road conditions. UDOT recommends checking CommuterLink for road and weather conditions before leaving home.
  • Clear any frost and snow from the car’s lights and windows. Make an effort to see and be seen while driving.
  • Inspect the vehicle’s tires, fluids, wiper blades, lights and hoses. Preventative maintenance may save a car from breaking down and stranding drivers and passengers on the highway.
  • Allow for leeway in travel time. Expect to drive slowly in adverse weather conditions. High speeds can lead to skidding off the road and getting stuck in the snow.
  • Have emergency supplies in the car. A basic winter emergency kit may include items like a flashlight, batteries, snacks, water, gloves, boots and a first-aid kit.

When driving

  • Take it slow. Drive well below posted speed limits and leave plenty of space between cars.
  • Approach intersections, off-ramps, bridges and shaded areas slowly. These areas are hot spots for black ice.
  • Slow down in cases of limited visibility and be alert.
  • Whether someone drives an elevated SUV or a ground-kissing Toyota Prius, again, UDOT says to take it slow. Just because a truck has 4-wheel drive doesn’t change how it handles on the road, especially when traction goes out the window. Mother Nature is no respecter of automotive diversity.
  • Keep the vehicle’s speed down. The faster the car goes, the longer it takes to stop. Be slow on the accelerator or risk having the car skid when the next stop sign appears.
  • Do not use the car’s cruise control while ice and snow still abound.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.

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