Salt Lake’s first snow causing problems for drivers
Dec 9, 2021, 3:40 PM | Updated: 4:12 pm
December 9, 2021: A jackknived semi blocks traffic on SB I-215 in Taylorsville. Photo credit: Salt Lake City Fire Department
SALT LAKE CITY — A jackknifed semi on southbound I-215 in Taylorsville closed the southbound lanes on Thursday afternoon as police and fire worked to clear the scene caused by Salt Lake’s first snow of the season.
The Utah Highway Patrol diverted southbound traffic onto I-80 as officials worked to move the semi off of the median.
— Salt Lake City Fire Department (@slcfire) December 9, 2021
Forecasters expected heavier snowfall at higher elevations throughout the day on Thursday. By mid-morning Utah’s traction law was in effect in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons in Salt Lake County.
However, at least one vehicle slid off of the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
⚠️#CrashAlert⚠️
Attention #SR190 #BCC travelers, vehicle slide off near Silverfork (MP 12.5) @UPDSL is on scene & tow truck en route. The vehicle is not blocking the road. Please be cautious in these conditions. Delays possible when tow truck arrives. #TractionLaw @UDOTTRAFFIC pic.twitter.com/0ZJWcjRRR7— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) December 9, 2021
Salt Lake City reported that several of their snowplows were active throughout the day on Thursday. The location of their plows can be tracked at this web page.
The National Weather Service reported that the snow falling on Thursday was the first measurable snowfall to fall in Utah’s capital city for 259 days, which is the fourth-longest period of time for Salt Lake to go without snow.
Salt Lake City now has the first measurable snowfall (0.1″ or more) this season! It has been 259 days since the last accumulating snow, which is the 4th longest streak with no snow. It’s the 5th latest snow of the season on record. #utwx pic.twitter.com/BoOdv8NrCk
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) December 9, 2021
Earlier, on Thursday a Morgan County School District school bus rolled on an icy road just as it began picking up students. Officials reported that a few students were aboard at the time of the accident on Highway 66 but that there were no injures. An investigation was expected to reveal more about what happened and why the bus slid.
Related reading:
- Shortage of snowplow drivers in Salt Lake County
- My Minute of News: A poem for nameless Salt Lake City snowplows
- First winter storm drops more than 11 inches of snow on Logan
- Ski season opening day in limbo with lack of mountain snow
- Plan needed to protect future of Utah’s snow, say advocates
