Weather
Utah Winter Weather Awareness Through Oct 31: Snow Squalls Trap Drivers
Salt Lake City, UT – Utah motorists can face dangerous highway conditions when sudden snow squalls and strong winds reduce visibility to near zero. As winter weather preparedness messaging continues W
By Miles Carter · 2026-10-28T10:54:09.397Z
Salt Lake City, UT – Utah motorists can face dangerous highway conditions when sudden snow squalls and strong winds reduce visibility to near zero. As winter weather preparedness messaging continues Wednesday, Oct. 28, drivers are being reminded that brief bursts of heavy snow can create serious hazards along mountain passes and exposed interstates.
According to the National Weather Service NWS , snow squalls are short lived bursts of intense snowfall, often accompanied by gusty winds and rapidly deteriorating visibility. Conditions can change within minutes, leaving motorists little time to respond.
How Snow Squalls Threaten Utah Highways Interstate 15, Interstate 80, Interstate 70 and U.S. highways 6 and 89 are among Utah's major travel routes where sudden snowfall and blowing snow can create hazardous driving conditions.
Drivers traveling through Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber, Summit and Tooele counties may encounter rapidly changing visibility, especially on elevated roads and exposed highway stretches.
Interstate 80 near Parleys Summit can experience sudden winter weather, while exposed areas west of Salt Lake City are vulnerable to blowing snow.
Heavy snow showers can also affect mountain routes near Park City, the Wasatch Range and central Utah.
What Is a Snow Squall Warning? The NWS issues Snow Squall Warnings when dangerous snow squalls are occurring or imminent.
These warnings typically last 30 to 60 minutes and may activate Wireless Emergency Alerts on compatible mobile phones.
A warning indicates an immediate driving hazard, particularly at interstate speeds, where sudden whiteouts can contribute to multivehicle crashes.
Longer lasting snowfall and blowing snow may also prompt Winter Storm Warnings or other weather alerts.
What Utah Drivers Should Do When a Snow Squall Warning is issued, the safest option is to delay travel until conditions improve .
Motorists already traveling should reduce speed gradually, increase following distance and turn on headlights.
Avoid sudden braking, abrupt lane changes and stopping in an active travel lane. If visibility deteriorates, exit the highway safely when possible.
Drivers should also check traction requirements and road closures before traveling through mountain passes.
Current highway conditions are available through UDOT Traffic .
Official forecasts and warnings are available from the NWS Salt Lake City office and NWS Grand Junction office , which serve different portions of Utah.
Winter weather preparedness messaging continues through Saturday, Oct. 31, as part of this editorial series , emphasizing how quickly snow squalls and blowing snow can transform Utah highways into dangerous whiteout conditions