ST. GEORGE — If you were hoping for bluer skies and milder temperatures, it’s probably best to reel in those expectations, at least for the next couple of days.

The National Weather Service out of Salt Lake City issued a winter weather advisory for the central and southern mountains and includes the cities of Cove Fort, Fish Lake, Joes Valley,
Brian Head and Alton. The advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Under this advisory, snow is expected with total snow accumulations of 6-12 inches and locally higher amounts around Brian Head.

Plan on slippery road conditions. A lull in snowfall is expected across the central mountains Tuesday afternoon, according to the weather service. And the heaviest snow is expected Wednesday morning.

Additionally, the weather service issued a wind advisory for southwest Utah in effect 11 a.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday.  Included in the advisory are the cities of Delta, Little Sahara, Beaver, Cedar City and Milford.

Under this advisory, south winds of 20-30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph are expected. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. A few power outages are possible. These winds will result in strong crosswinds along east-to-west oriented routes.

For St. George, rainy weather is expected to continue through Tuesday night, with a 70% chance of precipiation Monday night increasing to 80% on Tuesday, according to the weather service.

Further north in Cedar City, in addition to conditions outlined in the wind advisory, there is a chance of rain and snow between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday, with a 40% chance of rain continuing after 2 p.m. The chance of precipitation increases to 80% on Tuesday with a chance of snow expected Tuesday evening.

Precautionary and preparedness actions

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.

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.

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