SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Utah Department of Transportation said SR-210 through Little Cottonwood Canyon will remain closed for the rest of Tuesday.

 

🚧 #RoadClosureUpdate 🚧 #SR210 will remain CLOSED to the public for the day due to avalanche hazard.

Control work is ongoing & snowfall rates/wind high. Significant results are occurring. @UDOTTRAFFIC @AltaSkiArea @AltaCentral @Snowbird pic.twitter.com/bQl0kJ6MHy

— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) February 16, 2021

Avalanche control forces road closures

According to officials, there are approximately 27 avalanche chutes through Little Cottonwood Canyon for natural avalanches to break down which makes it a dangerous and likely spot for avalanches. 

Additionally, SR-190 is closed to uphill traffic as UDOT conducts avalanche mitigation.

🚧 #RoadClosureAlert 🚧 #SR190 is closed to uphill traffic for @UDOTavy avalanche mitigation.

Downhill traffic to close at Cardiff (MP 10.5) @ 10am.

Est time of opening 11:30am. Stay tuned for updates.@UDOTTRAFFIC @BrightonResort @SolitudeMTN @UPDSL @UtahDOT pic.twitter.com/ad9UZtADPd

— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) February 16, 2021

Traction laws are also in effect for drivers on I-80 through Parleys Canyon.

Let it snow

Some mountain areas could get up to 2 feet of new snow when the storm is finished. Current avalanche danger is high for nearly all of Utah’s mountains.

⚠️Avalanche Danger Raised to EXTREME!⚠️

DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST IN THE BACKCOUNTRY. NATURAL AND HUMAN TRIGGERED VALANCHES ARE LIKELY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. STAY OFF OF AND OUT FROM UNDER SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES.#utwx https://t.co/QaaS4ysp5H

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) February 16, 2021

“Heads up. It’s game on and this is the real deal,” according to the Utah Avalanche Center. “Avalanche conditions are dangers and you must avoid avalanche terrain.”

The view from my office this AM. Still no estimation on when S.R. 210 will reopen. I will say, just getting here from downtown Salt Lake was a challenge. Be safe today & keep it tuned to @kslnewsradio for updates! pic.twitter.com/o7eIFjUupu

— John Wojcik (@wojKSL) February 16, 2021

According to their forecast, “both human triggered and natural avalanches are certain.”

“Make no mistake because your life depends on it,” says Craig Gordon with the Utah Avalanche Center. “These are tree-snapping, bone-crushing avalanches.”