Heavy snow causes delays at airport, snow squall warnings and canyon restrictions

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's biggest snowstorm of the season has brought high winds, heavy snow, a delay at the airport and road closures.

For about half an hour, all flights were grounded at the Salt Lake City International Airport while a plow truck was cleaning off the runway for the first time this season, according to an airport spokeswoman. There will be some residual delays at the airport as the snow continues Wednesday afternoon.

The Utah Department of Transportation has issued several warnings throughout Wednesday about snow-covered roads and strong winds from Roy to Lehi. Whiteout conditions are possible and visibility can drop quickly, UDOT warned.

Many valley floors across the state were forecast to receive a few inches of snow on Wednesday.

By 1 p.m., Salt Lake City had officially received 1.4 inches of snow to snap its streak of days without at least 1 inch of snow that had started after March 18, 2025. The 337 days are considered a record in some categories, or just shy of a record dating back to 1891, based on missing days in the National Weather Service's record book.

Higher totals have been in the mountains and other high-elevation areas. As of 2 p.m., Alta Ski Area reported that it had received over 2 feet of snow over the past 12 hours, padding to an impressive storm total to nearly 3½ feet and counting over the past few days.

⚠️Travel Alert: Heavy snow and strong winds are moving into the valleys from Roy to Lehi. Whiteout conditions are possible. Visibility may drop very quickly.
If you must drive: Slow down, turn on low-beam headlights, and give other cars space.
Delay travel if possible.

— UDOT Traffic (@UDOTTRAFFIC) February 18, 2026

Traction devices are required for the Cottonwood Canyons and an uphill travel restriction is in place due to congestion in both canyons as of 1:15 p.m. UTA ski buses are experiencing delays of more than an hour in both canyons as well.

Parleys Canyon has heavy snow and low visibility, UDOT said, cautioning drivers to be on alert as many slide-offs have already occurred. UDOT encouraged people to avoid the canyon if possible.

The National Weather Service also issued several warnings for snow squall conditions in Tooele County and "across a large portion of southern Utah." Visibility is low and strong winds mixed with heavy snow can cause dangerous travel conditions.

The Utah Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning on Wednesday at 8 a.m. for the mountains of northern, central, and southwest Utah, as well as southeast Idaho. The danger will rise in certain areas and the continuing storm will create wind slabs and new snow avalanches, the center said.

In Cache County, Utah State University cancelled afternoon classes starting at 1:30 p.m. due to extreme winter weather conditions.

Contributing: Carter Williams

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