Salt Lake City, Utah – Travel through northern Utah’s mountain corridors could slow significantly within hours as snowfall rates exceed 1 inch per hour by midday Thursday, quickly piling up several inches on high-elevation roads.
According to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, a fast-moving system will bring 6 to 12 inches of snow to the northern and central mountains through Thursday night, with locally higher totals in the upper Cottonwood Canyons. The heaviest snow is expected during the midday and afternoon hours before tapering overnight.
Routes through Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, along with higher stretches of I-80 near Parleys Summit and I-84 in Weber Canyon, may see reduced visibility and snow-covered pavement during peak travel times. While overall impacts are considered minor, brief bursts of heavy snow could create slick conditions and traction restrictions, especially for drivers without winter tires.
Ski areas stand to benefit from fresh accumulation, but backcountry travelers should remain alert for changing conditions as snowfall intensity fluctuates through the day.
Drivers are urged to allow extra travel time, carry winter gear, and check UDOT updates before heading into the mountains.
Snow tapers off late Thursday night, with improving conditions expected by early Friday, though additional systems could bring more mountain snow into the region heading into the weekend.
