SALT LAKE CITY — A storm pummeled areas of northern Utah Wednesday, prompting school delays, avalanche warnings and road issues as the state was blanketed in snow.
VIDEO: Snowboarder triggers avalanche in Little Cottonwood Canyon
The Utah Department of Transportation initially said an avalanche occurred in Big Cottonwood Canyon around noon, closing State Route 190 in both directions at milepost 10. Later, UDOT clarified that a few "sluffs" hit the road in the downhill lane near Laurel Pines. A "sluff" is when the weak layer of powdery snow on top of the snowpack breaks off, which is much less dangerous than a slab avalanche. Shortly after the closure, officials began reopening one direction of traffic, however, drivers should be alert when heading up the canyon.
Then around 3 p.m., UDOT announced that an avalanche had closed SR-92 in both directions, just north of US-189 (Provo Canyon) and south of Sundance Resort. It was not immediately known whether anyone was caught in the slide, nor whether it was human-caused or natural.
Just one day earlier, an avalanche was triggered by a snowboarder just over the ridge in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The stunning spectacle was caught on camera from across the canyon.
UDOT will be performing avalanche mitigation in Little Cottonwood overnight; SR-210 will close to uphill traffic at 12:30 a.m. Thursday and to downhill traffic at 1 a.m. The agency said it expects to reopen the canyon at 8:30 a.m.
FULL LIST: Monitor weather delays and cancellations for Utah schools
As snow fell throughout northern Utah and crews scrambled to clear things out early Wednesday morning, the Ogden School District announced a 2-hour delay for students. Morning half-day programs were canceled Wednesday while afternoon half-day programs had no change.
The Box Elder School District called for a virtual learning day on Wednesday, saying assignments for students would be available by 10 a.m.
The National Weather Service issued an upgraded Winter Storm warning for the mountain passes and areas of far northern Utah Wednesday morning, in effect until Thursday at 11 a.m.
Snow began falling around 2 a.m. and is expected to hit areas North of Salt Lake City as well as mountain roads the hardest with stormy conditions throughout the day.
Areas of Layton and northward are expected to receive three to six inches of fresh powder while the Salt Lake Valley will likely get between one and two inches.
A heavier band of snow will impact areas south of Layton into the Salt Lake Valley through 1245PM. Lowered visibility with accumulating snow is likely. Drier conditions, with only isolated or scattered snow showers, are expected after this band of snow moves through. #utwx pic.twitter.com/f46rhrHC2U
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) January 17, 2024
Mountains could be the big winners of the storm, scoring between ten and 20 inches of snow.
Through the afternoon, chances for snow decrease as the storm changes to rain. Snow will pop up again Wednesday night before things clear out Thursday.
Snow quickly stuck to roads as Utahns began their morning commutes.
Utah Highway Patrol reported 95 crashes as of about 1:30 p.m.
The Utah Department of Transportation warned ahead of the storm of impaired travel conditions in the mountains and minor travel concerns on valley roads. They urged drivers to be prepared for winter driving.
As snow hammered even valley roads Wednesday morning, Police in Salt Lake City asked drivers to consider delaying travel as snow caused "hazardous driving conditions," especially in western areas of the city.
Traction laws were implemented for many mountain passes early Wednesday morning. Drivers trying to travel through Empire Pass in Summit County, Sardine Summit In Box Elder and Cache Counties, and both Cottonwood Canyons should be prepared with proper equipment for wintery conditions.
