Salt Lake’s first snow causes problems for drivers

SALT LAKE CITY – A semi-jackknife on the southbound I-215 in Taylorsville closed southbound lanes Thursday afternoon as police and firefighters worked to clean up the scene caused by the season’s first snowfall in Salt Lake.

Utah Highway Patrol diverted southbound traffic on I-80 as authorities struggled to move the semi-trailer off the median.

pic.twitter.com/J6siEDVXwE

– Salt Lake City Fire Department (@slcfire) December 9, 2021

Forecasters were expecting 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 slipped off the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

️#CrashAlert️
Warning # SR190 #BCC passengers, the vehicle slips near Silverfork (MP 12.5) @UPDSL is on site and a tow truck is on the way. The vehicle is not blocking the road. Be careful in these conditions. Possible delays on arrival of the tow truck. #Law of traction @UDOTTRAFFIC pic.twitter.com/0ZJWcjRRR7

– Cottonwood Canyons UDOT (@UDOTcottonwoods) December 9, 2021

Salt Lake City reported that several of its snowplows were active all day Thursday. The location of their plows can be tracked on this web page.

The National Weather Service reported that snowfall Thursday was the first measurable snowfall to fall in the Utah capital in 259 days, which is the fourth longest snowless period for Salt Lake.

Salt Lake City now has the first measurable snowfall (0.1 ″ or more) this season! It has been 259 days since the last snowfall, which is the 4th longest streak without snow. This is the 5th last snow of the season on record. #utwx pic.twitter.com/BoOdv8NrCk

– NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) December 9, 2021

Earlier on Thursday, a school bus from the Morgan County School District drove down an icy road just as it began to pick up students. Authorities said a few students were on board at the time of the Highway 66 crash, but there were no injuries. An investigation was to reveal more about what happened and why the bus slipped.

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