Conditions slowly improving in Utah after major snowstorm

SALT LAKE CITY — Road conditions have slowly started improving Wednesday morning following dangerously slick conditions earlier.

11:07 a.m.

The Utah Highway Patrol said they have handled 158 crashes statewide, and have helped 517 vehicles that slid off roads.

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10:05 a.m.

Salt Lake City International Airport says a total of six outbound flights have been canceled Wednesday, and 25 inbound flights. The airport received 8.5 inches of snow in just eight hours.

Salt Lake City International Airport

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Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall told FOX 13 that there were reports of several downed tree limbs and snow covered sidewalks, but no major incidents. She encouraged residents to help each other, especially the elderly and disabled, shovel out driveways.

The city received about 10 inches of snow overnight. While areas around the valley received generally between 10-13 inches.

Not all areas were in the clear though. At 9:56 a.m. Layton police announced that Southbound Highway 89 was being temporarily closed due to slick conditions.

Meanwhile, as of 10 a.m. Rocky Mountain Power crews were still working to restore service to several thousand customers. They warned that the power could be out for some through Wednesday afternoon.

Utah Highway Patrol and the Utah Department of Transportation warned drivers of dangerously slick driving conditions early Wednesday morning along the Wasatch Front.

UHP asked motorists to consider leaving later in the morning to give UDOT crews a chance to cleanup the roadways.

FORECAST: Already gearing up for more snow!

Heavy snow caused power lines to fall in Cottonwood Heights. Part of 3000 East was closed while crews made repairs around 8:00 a.m.

Troopers responded to several incidents Tuesday night into Wednesday morning involving vehicles sliding off the road, crashing and even rolling over.

MORE: Some Utah school districts plan remote learning, delayed starts Wednesday

As a result, several school districts announced remote learning days or delayed starts Wednesday.

UDOT responded to a crash Wednesday morning where a semi-truck was stuck at 6200 South, and power lines were down on 3000 East. Unified police were blocking traffic heading left (east) off the I-215 off-ramp.

The Utah Transit Authority announced that all TRAX lines were delayed due to ice and snow.

UDOT warned that road conditions in the Cottonwood Canyons were especially dangerous, with low visibility and ice.

The Salt Lake City International Airport announced that some flights were experiencing delays and cancellations due to icy runways. However, de-icing operations were underway and conditions were expected to improve as the morning continued.