A snowy Saturday in Utah causes road restrictions and avalanche dangers
Jan 4, 2025, 9:42 AM | Updated: 10:27 am
A dog walker makes their way through a snow storm in Cottonwood Heights on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Snow falling in Utah brought on road restrictions and a couple backcountry closures due to avalanche dangers.
Backcountry closures
According to the Utah Department of Transportation, there are two backcountry closures in effect as of 10 p.m. on Friday night.
Areas included in the backcountry closures are LCC Hellgate Gazex and LCC mid canyon North side.
“All terrain north of Little Cottonwood Creek from Gate B to Snowbird Entry four Extends 1,000 meters into Big Cottonwood,” UDOT said in a description of the areas closed. “All terrain north of Little Cottonwood Creek, Superior through Cardiff backcountry. Please stay east of Cardiff Bowl and areas underneath Cardiff.”
Both backcountry closures will be in effect until 6 p.m. on Saturday, according to UDOT.
According to the Utah Avalanche Center, avalanche dangers are high in the mountains of the following areas:
- Logan in mountain areas
- Ogden at upper elevations
- Uintas
- Salt Lake in upper elevations
- Provo in upper elevations
“At and above treeline, high avalanche danger quickly evolves around the dial this morning with both human triggered and natural avalanches becoming very likely,” Craig Gordon said in his report on UAC when talking about the Uintas.
Road restrictions
UDOT stated on its X page that approved traction devices are required for all semitrucks in the following areas:
- Westbound on Interstate 80, west of U.S. Route 40 in Summit Co.
- Eastbound on Interstate 80 at MP at Foothill / Parelys Way in Salt Lake Co.
Approved traction devices are required for all vehicles in the following areas due to snow, according to UDOT:
- Both Directions on State Route 210 starting at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake Co.
- Both Directions on State Route 190 starting at the Mouth of Big Cottonwood in Salt Lake Co.
UDOT also stated on its X page that traction devices are required for all drivers who choose to travel on State Route 190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Kennedy Camarena is a digital content producer for KSL NewsRadio.
