Winter storm brings snow, treacherous travel to Southern Utah

Downtown Cedar City was a snowy scene Feb. 22, 2022, and is under a winter weather advisory Thursday-Friday, Dec. 1-2, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Rain, snow, wind and near-freezing temperatures created treacherous travel conditions Tuesday evening. And Wednesday’s forecast could mean more of the same.

The Utah Department of Transportation reported on its website there were several slide-offs on Interstate 15, including a 9:45 p.m. accident at milepost 41, about one mile south of Kanarraville. Another weather-related delay in Southern Utah was reported by UDOT at milepost 73 on I-15 two miles south of Parowan.

The National Weather Service indicated the storm would bring possible snow accumulations in southern Washington County ranging from a trace to 2 inches between 5 p.m. Tuesday and 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Rain was heavy at times Tuesday night around St. George and Washington City, with light snow reported in Leeds around 9 p.m., according to UDOT. Snowfall was much heavier to the north and east and along the I-15 corridor.

Snow had accumulated enough to make driving conditions tricky in Cedar City, and the NWS was predicting an additional 1-3 inches by storm’s end early Wednesday evening.

Wet, heavy snow clings to branches in Cedar City on Tuesday night. The National Weather Service predicts additional snowfall through Wednesday, Cedar City, Utah, Feb. 22, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News

UDOT’s Tuesday afternoon statement also included the following:

“Snow will ramp up later today and tonight, especially across Central and Southern Utah, and bring widespread road snow across the state overnight and through Wednesday.

“Heavy road snow should be anticipated across portions of southern Utah, especially over all mountains, Cove Fort/I-70 junction area and southward to Cedar City, and higher portions of I-70. Lower elevation routes including in/around St. George and west near Lake Powell will also see snow with the threat for light road snow/slush late overnight through early Wednesday.”

Precautionary and preparedness actions

Winter driving conditions will be possible across the entire watch area. Snow may accumulate in areas not typically impacted by heavy snow including the lower valleys of southern and eastern Utah.

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.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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