SALT LAKE CITY — Motorists need to be on the lookout for icy, slick roads while traveling through the state Tuesday night, officials said.
With as cold as the storm is, spokesman John Gleason with Utah Department of Transportation, said any water on the roads is going to freeze.
Gleason said crews are focusing their efforts on central and southern Utah. The biggest concern Tuesday night is Interstate Highway 15 between Payson and Cedar City, Gleason said. Some sections in that area could see as much as a foot of snow.
“This storm is coming in extremely cold,” Gleason said. “The plows will be out throughout the evening into the morning until they’re (roads) clear.”
Other areas of concern are Parley’s Canyon, the Benches and the point of the mountain.
“We recommend, if you can, limit your travel in these areas,” Gleason said. “It will be extremely difficult and possibly dangerous.”
UDOT has a fleet of 508 plows along with eight tow plows. Gleason said this is an all-hands-on-deck operation with all plows on the roadways.
Utah Highway Patrol reported 304 crashes on state roads since midnight from Davis to Utah Counties.
As of Tuesday evening there were 167 accidents in Salt Lake County, 75 in Utah County and 62 in Davis County. There have also been a large number of vehicle slide offs due to slick road conditions, officials said.
The low temperature in Salt Lake City Tuesday night is expected to hit 20 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Wednesday there is an expected high of 21.
The low temperature in Utah County is approximately 22 degrees.
Cedar City is expected to see a low of 16 degrees while St. George will see a low of 31 Tuesday night.
Areas in the state also saw record amounts of snowfall. In Provo 8.5 inches fell, in Salt Lake City, 5.8, in Spanish Fork, 10 and Tooele, 6.
