National Weather Service issuing a blizzard warning for much of the state. A strong cold front is expected to arrive in Northern Utah by 2-4pm, in the Wasatch Front between 3p-6p, and then through the rest of the state. Expect the wind gusts to blow between 30 and 50mph as the front arrives. Bitter cold air should move in quickly, with temperatures in the teens tonight. Single digits possible tomorrow morning. More snow is possible along the Wasatch Front tomorrow morning as well. Highs tomorrow could stay below 20. Lows Thanksgiving could drop below zero if skies clear. -Grant Weyman, Live 5 Weather HD 11.23.10
Major storm rolling into Utah
November 23rd, 2010 @ 4:41pm
By Richard Piatt
SALT LAKE CITY -- A storm that brought a blizzard to the Northwest Monday now is rolling into Utah. A blizzard warning is in effect for most of the state.
Snow is reported in Tremonton, Snowville and North Ogden. Interstate 84 is closed at the Idaho border and likely will remain closed all night. Interstate 15 is closed in both directions at Tremonton. Two semi trucks jackknifed and are blocking both lanes of northbound I-15 three miles north of the State Route 30/Riverside/Logan interchange.
The combination of snow and strong winds comes during the peak of holiday travel, creating such a buzz that most schools and businesses in Utah closed early. Rarely has a storm been so talked about, even before it arrives.
Road conditions are a concern for the Utah Department of Transportation as thousands of people hit the freeways and streets. Many people were allowed to leave work or school early to avoid driving in the storm. Several evening events have been canceled as well, because the goal is to keep as many people off the roads as possible.
They're keeping an eye on the approaching storm at UDOT's Traffic Operation Center. Seven hundred cameras monitor changing conditions. Crews use weather updates, phone calls, and radio traffic to update traffic and road information and pass it along to commuters as quickly as possible.
Glenn Blackwelder, the operation center engineer said, "We're keeping an eye, it's just trying to monitor all the information and then pushing that information out to the public."
UDOT trucks are loaded with salt and were ready to go hours before a snowflake hit the roadways. There are 500 snowplow-salt trucks statewide, and it's likely they'll all be out Tuesday night. But because of the cold and the potential for lots of blowing snow, it still might be hard for them to keep up.
Ryan Ellsworth, UDOT's roadway operations manager said, "It's going to be a challenge keeping the roads clean. We're going to go around, filling up, getting back on the road as soon as possible. But it's going to be hard to keep the roads clean, for sure."
In conditions like these, it's a good idea to be prepared even if your commute is normally 20 minutes or so.
UDOT spokesman Nile Easton said, "You're going to want to make sure you bring some water. You may be stuck out there two to three times longer than you're use to. So, dress appropriately."
Residents are encouraged to stay off the roads Tuesday night if possible.
IMPENDING BLIZZARD A REMINDER OF OTHER HARSH STORMS
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