Utah Prepares for a Frigid Storm: Travel Woes and Record-Breaking Cold Ahead!

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A frigid cold front is approaching, predicted to introduce some of the coldest conditions Utah has faced this season, leading to weather-related travel issues starting Friday night and extending into Saturday.

The Utah Department of Transportation has issued a Road Weather Alert for this weather event effective from Jan. 17, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday and continuing until 6 p.m. Saturday.

As darkness falls on Friday, widespread light snowfall on the roads will become a concern in areas further north near the Idaho border. Once the severe cold takes effect by early Saturday morning, as projected by the National Weather Service, the likelihood of snow on the roads will increase across much of northern Utah.

Snowfall due to lake effects is anticipated to start early Saturday morning and persist throughout the day, with the most significant threat impacting routes southeast of the Great Salt Lake, including the Salt Lake Valley, Parley’s Canyon, and through the Cottonwoods.

Come Saturday afternoon, residual showers are expected, but most routes, apart from those on higher elevations, should observe improved conditions.

The following paths are predicted to face weather-related challenges throughout the forecasted timeframe:

• I-15, ID border to Rocky Ridge/Nephi
• I-215, Entire Stretch
• I-80, Grassy Knolls rest area to WY border
• I-84, Entire Stretch
• US-40, I-80 Junction to Fruitland
• US-6, Spanish Fork to Helper
• US-89, ID border through Logan Canyon; US-6 Junction to Mount Pleasant
• US-191, WY border to Vernal; Duchesne to Helper through Indian Canyon
• SR-190, Big Cottonwood Canyon
• SR-210, Little Cottonwood Canyon
• SR-224, Entire Stretch
• SR-248, Entire Stretch
• SR-16, Entire Stretch
• SR-30, Entire Stretch
• SR-39, Entire Stretch
• SR-35, Entire Stretch
• SR-31, Skyline Drive

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