SALT LAKE CITY — After the turkeys were carved and the last slice of pumpkin pie was gobbled up, a storm swept through Utah, ushering in colder temperatures and blanketing the ground in white.
Black Friday may be a bit of a mess to travel in on Friday as the snow will persist through most of the morning and afternoon and very cold temperatures are allowing for some accumulation.
Though not much accumulated in the valleys, the snow was enough to make roads slippery. Plus, it's the first time this season that snow has actually fallen and accumulated in many valley cities.
Multiple crashes and slide-offs were reported in both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons Friday morning due to the slick conditions and the traction law was put in place for a few hours.
Officials reminded drivers just how slick roads can get with a layer of snow coating the ground.
⚠️ #CrashAlert ⚠️
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) November 24, 2023
#SR190 multiple vehicle crashes below Torpedo Hill (MP 4), conditions are slick. @UPDSL & @UtahDOT road ops on scene, alternating traffic. Tow trucks are on the way. pic.twitter.com/HGkwPE9kwN
Utah's Weather Authority sent in photos from across the Wasatch Front, showing a heavy dusting of snow covering the ground as festivities commenced Thursday night.
While the storm seemed to ramp up late Thursday night into the early hours of Friday morning, wintery conditions will persist through Saturday.
A winter weather advisory has been put in place for areas of eastern Utah and the mountains from 5 p.m. Thursday through 11 p.m. Friday.
On Friday morning, the storm will arrive in full force, delivering even more snow to the valleys and mountains. Experts predict six inches to a foot of snow in the upper Cottonwoods while valley accumulation is uncertain.
Other mountains could get anywhere from four to ten inches of snow while the Wasatch Back may receive two to five inches.
In southern Utah, there's a slight chance of showers, but the storm will stay mostly in northern and central areas of the state.
The snowy Black Friday could cause issues for travelers heading home after Thanksgiving, so be prepared for slow traffic on the roads and a potentially busy airport.
In addition, it may be time to put your snow brush back in the car and pull out the boots if you're planning on doing some shopping this holiday weekend.
Through Friday into Saturday, temperatures will continue to be well below the average for this time of year and mountain snow will linger. Things start to clear out Saturday, but cold temperatures will be sticking around.
Utah's Weather Authority doesn't see any other storms stopping through Utah until the first week of December, so it's sunny conditions and hazy skies ahead as another inversion settles in.
