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SALT LAKE CITY — A large storm that has already slammed some Utah places with more than a foot of snow is expected to return again in northern Utah Thursday night and intensify overnight in southern Utah, weather experts say.
The snow that passed through the state early Thursday led to slippery roads in some places. For example, the Utah Highway Patrol reported that Box Elder County was "inundated with snow and the roads are exceptionally treacherous." It asked drivers to give road crews and law enforcement a few hours to "make things safe" before heading out for the day.
According to National Weather Service data, Perry, in Box Elder County, received 12 1/2 inches of snow by 8 a.m. The storm has produced more accumulation in the mountains. Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville recorded more than 3 feet of snow by 4 p.m. Thursday, which is the highest accumulation reported from the storm so far.
Grantsville, Kearns, Roy, Stansbury Park and West Jordan are among the cities that have received more than a foot of snow since Wednesday.
KSL meteorologist Grant Weyman said the storm is expected to come in waves throughout the day, with it picking back up Thursday evening. Four-wheel drive and chains are required for all motorists driving in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons, according to Utah Department of Transportation officials.
In a video posted Thursday afternoon, National Weather Service meteorologist Charlotte Dewey said snow is expected to return in northern Utah valleys late Thursday night and is expected to intensify in southern Utah overnight.
The additional snow may make travel difficult again Friday morning.
"The long duration storm continues to impact Utah during most of the travel periods for the Thanksgiving holiday," Dewey said. "Significant accumulations are expected across southern Utah with heavy snowfall on mountain passes, resulting in difficult or impossible travel. Slush on bridges and area roadways in Utah's Dixie are possible."
UDOT officials warned in a tweet that road snow is expected Thursday night into Friday morning across the Wasatch Front. Heavy snow with "impaired travel" is expected on I-15 across central and southern Utah during the same timeframe. A good chunk of the freeway is listed as a "high caution" spot for travel through Saturday morning, according to the agency.
Weather Alert: Impaired travel due to rd/blowing snow THU night/FRI morning for much of SW UT, including I-15. Rd snow expected along the Wasatch Front after 3 AM FRI morning. More info here: https://t.co/4P1gO1U0Gg#utwx#utsnow#utwind@UtahTruckingpic.twitter.com/ZrI5h7nX2m
— UDOT Traffic (@UDOTTRAFFIC) November 28, 2019
Snow will redevelop again across northern Utah early Friday and become "locally heavy at times" through late Friday night. Snow is expected to remain in Utah into Saturday before it is expected to taper off Saturday afternoon, Dewey added.
The National Weather Service released updated graphics that show some places of the Wasatch backcountry could receive as much as 18 inches of snow between Thursday and Saturday, while Wasatch Front valleys are expected to receive a few inches during the same time frame.
Many high elevation spots are expected to receive more than a foot of snow in southwestern Utah from Thursday evening through Saturday, as well. The agency forecasts Cedar City to receive 8 to 12 inches of snow.
Check the full weather forecast at ksl.com/weather.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said that Perry in Box Elder County, had received 12 1/2 feet of snow by 8 a.m. It has been updated to show the city received 12 1/2 inches of snow.
