First big winter storm of the season causes crashes, closures on Utah roads
Jan 5, 2026, 5:49 PM
First big winter storm of the season causes crashes and closures on Utah roads. (Greg Anderson, KSL)
(Greg Anderson, KSL)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah drivers got a reminder Monday that winter is officially back, as the season’s first major snowstorm created slick roads, crashes and temporary closures.
In Parley’s Canyon, snow and ice made the morning commute difficult.
Many drivers said the normally 20-30 minute commute on I-80 between Jeremy Ranch and Salt Lake City was more than an hour because of the bad weather and road conditions.
Utah Department of Transportation snowplow crews were busy clearing roads while trying to keep up with the storm.
“This morning, it got a little crazy,” said Dustin Gleed, a lead snowplow driver with UDOT.
Gleed has been plowing Utah roads for more than 20 years and said that while he’s seen far worse storms, the first significant snow of the season often feels worse because drivers aren’t fully adjusted yet.
“It takes them three or four storms to realize, ‘Hey, winter is here, I’ve got to be more cautious,’” said Gleed. “Today was a doozy. The rain all morning and then it went to snow and then ice.”
It’s a combination that makes road treatment more difficult.
UDOT crews said rain washes away the brine solution used to pre-treat roads, meaning plows have to react quickly once snow and ice begin to stick.
While Parley’s Canyon crews handled the morning storm, conditions worsened farther south later in the day.
Several crashes during a snowstorm in Nephi forced UDOT and the Utah Highway Patrol to temporarily close southbound I-15.
Traffic was detoured through Nephi so tow trucks could clear damaged vehicles and plows could safely clear the interstate.
Gleed said many drivers don’t realize that snowplows are often the safest vehicles on the road during storms.
He said that he sees drivers passing plows, cutting between multiple plows working together, or trying to pass on ramps every single day he is out plowing.
His message to drivers during winter storms is simple.
“I wish they would just be patient. We don’t want to hold you up any longer than we have to. We wish we could drive 65 and plow, but we can’t. We’re at 35 miles an hour climbing a hill,” he said.
UDOT crews said patience and slowing down remain the best ways to stay safe during winter weather, especially early in the season when many drivers are still getting used to driving in the snow again.
