SALT LAKE CITY — Lake effect snow was causing slick roads and some slide offs in parts of northern Utah on Tuesday morning.
Colder roads caused by much colder temperatures, compared to Monday, were causing the snow to stick much more easily. Although the lake effect snow should taper off throughout the morning.
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Most of central and southern Utah are in store for additional wintry conditions Tuesday as advisories and warnings have been issued for large portions of the state.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
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10:30 a.m.
Things are now finally back to normal after a very messy, morning on Utah Roads. In particular on a stretch of I-215 in West Valley City.
A little bit of snow, black ice and some very bad driving all contributed to a series of crashes on I-215 a little after 5 a.m.
About 20 vehicles wound up being involved in a string of chain reaction slide offs and collisions. And it didn’t take long for this stretch of freeway to turn into a parking lot.
At that point troopers decided to take some fairly drastic measures to try to get the mess cleared up as quickly and safely as possible.
“Starting at about 3500 South on the northbound side, we just had multiple crashes in that area that were completely blocking the roadway," said Sergeant Cameron Roden with Utah Highway Patrol. "So, in order to be able to clear those crashes out and keep everybody safe they did close the northbound lanes for a little bit.”
It took more than two hours to finally get the wreckage cleared up.
And all of this happening less than 12 hours after a stretch of I-15 near Springville in Utah county had to be closed Monday evening as thousands of folks were returning home after a long holiday weekend.
8:22 a.m.
Utah Highway Patrol tells FOX 13 News that they have handled 75-80 crashes, mostly in Davis and Salt Lake Counties, this morning. They tell people to expect delays, slow down and give themselves plenty of travel time.
8:10 a.m.
Utah Highway Patrol says I-215 W northbound has reopened in West Valley City after lanes were closed for several hours this morning due to slide offs and crashes caused by slick roads.
7:44 a.m.
Traffic is still moving slowly throughout northern Utah as drivers contend with slick roads.
Heads up, folks! It’s taking a long time to get anywhere this morning. 34 minutes from 9000S to SLC — That’s a drive that normally takes 10 min. Still slick for many across the Wasatch Front @FOX13 pic.twitter.com/2BfyRFdxZM
— Dani Ruberti (@DaniRuberti) February 22, 2022
7:22 a.m.
UHP now estimates the I-215W northbound closure will be cleared by 8 a.m. Maybe a little sooner.
It looks treacherous traveling through clearfield where we continue to see lake effect showers. They’re winding down, but anything that falls is sticking fast. This is a look at I-15….Be careful! @FOX13 @NWSSaltLakeCity pic.twitter.com/nsDzBCxZyw
— Dani Ruberti (@DaniRuberti) February 22, 2022
Lake effect snow showers continue to impact areas of the Wasatch Front this morning. The storm will produce heavy snowfall for central and southern Utah by this afternoon.
6:55 a.m.
A slide off has caused UDOT to block all lanes of SR190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Crews are working to clear the road. Expected clearance 20 minutes.
⚠️ #CrashAlert ⚠️ 👋 Attention #SR190 travelers - There is a slide off above Ledgemere (MP 3). @UPDSL & @utahdot road ops will be temporarily blocking both lanes of traffic to clear the vehicle. Estimated clearance time is 20 minutes. @UDOTTRAFFIC @BrightonResort @SolitudeMTN pic.twitter.com/ybCWpjS1VC
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) February 22, 2022
6:41 a.m.
Utah Highway Patrol says it has responded to a "large number of crashes" along the Wasatch Front this morning caused by drivers going too fast on slick roads.
Snow covered / frozen roads across the Wasatch Front this morning. Our troopers are working a large number of crashes. Please plan for a safe commute. Slow Down and Move Over for emergency lights! Thanks for driving safe.
— Michael Rapich (@ColonelRapich) February 22, 2022
Traction laws are in effect in the Cottonwood canyons.
6:11 a.m.
I-215 W Northbound is closed at 3500 South in Salt Lake County. 20+ cars are involved in various separate crashes around 2700 South.
5:46 a.m
I-215 northbound through West Valley City is completely blocked due to several crashes and we're monitoring several slide-offs throughout the Salt Lake Valley
5:30 a.m.
Light snow is sticking to the ground quickly. Several lanes were blocked on I-215 after a crash.
