A strong cold front brought heavy snowfall to northern Utah on February 11, causing hazardous road conditions and prompting the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to deploy snow plows to clear the roads. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning for the region, advising drivers to exercise extreme caution when traveling.
Footage published by UDOT in Wasatch Back shows snow plows working tirelessly to clear Interstate 80, one of the main highways in the area. The video footage, captured by UDOT Wasatch Back and shared via Storyful, highlights the challenges faced by drivers and road crews as they battle against the elements to keep the roads safe and passable.
UDOT called on drivers to stay alert and watch for black ice, which can be particularly hazardous, especially on highways and other high-speed roads. Black ice is a thin layer of transparent ice that can form on the surface of the road, making it difficult to spot, and can cause vehicles to skid or lose control if driven over at speed.
The strong cold front that brought snow to northern Utah is part of a larger weather system that has been affecting several states in the region. The storm has brought significant snowfall to many areas, with some parts of Utah receiving over a foot of snow in a matter of hours.
The rapid onset of the storm has caught some drivers off guard, leading to an increase in accidents and near-misses on the roads. As a result, UDOT and law enforcement agencies are urging drivers to slow down, use low gear, and leave plenty of space between vehicles to avoid collisions.
In addition to the snow plows, UDOT has also deployed other equipment, such as salt trucks and snow blowers, to help keep the roads clear and safe. The agency is working around the clock to keep up with the storm, but drivers are still advised to check the latest road conditions before traveling and to plan their routes accordingly.
The snowfall is expected to continue throughout the day, with some areas potentially receiving several more inches of snow before the storm begins to clear. As the situation continues to unfold, drivers are advised to stay informed about the latest weather and road conditions, and to take necessary precautions to stay safe on the roads.