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Alex Cabrero ReportingWeather is causing major delays up canyon roads.
Drivers are taking it easy going up Parley's Canyon, but we've noticed traffic picking up with rush hour approaching. For those who've never been to Utah during the winter, all this snow will come as a surprise, but for the rest of us we know it's just a normal winter.
Going up I-80 in Parley's Canyon there was a lot of snow. Parley's Summit seemed to get the most, or at least have the thickest flakes. Driving was very slow going; it took 35-45 minutes to get up the canyon today.
Lots of people got stuck during the drive. One driver went off the road at Jeremy's Ranch. The driver was actually on her way to buy things to prepare for the snow.
Driver: "My car's on the side of the road and my dad's in his four-wheel drive, coming back to get me (laughs). I came up here to get my snow tires on, and didn't make it all the way."
She didn't make it and we noticed a couple of other accidents up the canyon as well. We're told there have been no serious accidents yet.
We've also seen a number of UDOT snowplows going up the canyon, trying to keep it clear. Hopefully it will remain clear during rush hour.
UDOT has also closed Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon due to heavy snowfall. A controled avalanche swept across a road in Little Cottonwood Canyon, trapping skiers at Alta and Snowbird. No word on when either canyon will re-open. You can read more on the avalanche story here...
Earlier in the day in Parley's Canyon, conditions caused traffic to almost come to a standstill.
Part of the slowdown can be attributed to construction near the mouth of the canyon. UDOT has been fixing potholes and grinding up portions of the road. That has been leading to traffic delays towards the bottom of the canyon.
The National Weather Service has issued a snow advisory for Northern Utah:
An arctic cold front will continue moving over northern Utah and Southwest Wyoming today and over the remainder of the state tonight. Locally strong winds will continue over the northern mountains along with snow, creating considerable blowing and drifting. The snow advisory will be in effect until 9 pm tonight .
Snow amounts of 1-2 inches have already fallen along the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley. Snow will continue to fall over the area as the cold front continues moving over the area. Snow amounts will range from 2-4 inches on the valley floor with up to 3-5 inches on the benches. Snow amounts of 4-8 inches can be expect in the mountains. Snow will taper off this evening as the storm system exits the Area.
A snow advisory means that periods of snow will cause primarily Travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and Limited visibilities...and use caution while driving.
