SOUTHERN UTAH – Heavy snowfall Monday morning into the early afternoon took many Southern Utah residents by surprise. While many were enjoying the falling flurries, others were dealing with the cleanup left in the wake of the storm that blanketed the desert, closing roads and resulting in several collisions.
Enjoy our photo gallery at the end of this story. Over 100 photos were contributed by St. George News friends and readers, and we thank you for sharing.
Incidents on Utah Interstates and Highways
The snowfall caused at least eight vehicles to slide off the roadway in the St. George and Hurricane City areas, Utah Department of Transportation Roadway Operations Manager Todd Abbott said, which resulted in several vehicles being towed.
“People were driving too fast for conditions,” Abbott said.
See interviews: Click the play arrow center of image top of this story.
At approximately 1:15 a.m., UDOT crews were called out to begin clearing the roadways, primarily between mileposts 32 and 42, Abbott said.
The heavy snowfall caused several semitrailers to stop and become stuck in traffic, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Jake Hicks said.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., a semitrailer jack-knifed on northbound Interstate 15, near milepost 35, blocking traffic, he said.
“We had quite a bit of standing traffic for about 45 minutes,” Hicks said, “until we could get chains on semitrucks and get that other truck unstuck from being jack-knifed.”
Just prior to the semitrailer incident on I-15, another semitrailer and a school bus slid off state Route 59, at the top of a hill near mile marker 20, closing the road completely until the vehicles could be pulled out.
“The storm was kind of hit and miss in some areas,” Hicks said. “I noticed, driving the freeway, the area of Leeds wasn’t as bad as, like, Washington City and St. George; so I know we saw several inches down here (and) a few crashes but they were minor crashes.”
Hicks said there were a couple of minor property damage crashes but no major injuries were reported.
Forecast
“For the most part, at this time, the bulk of the storm has left Southern Utah,” Abbott said. “There is a little bit of a storm left that is supposed to hit us tonight, overnight, but then that’ll break up and break way to partly cloudy skies. We have a 60 percent chance of snow tonight, primarily north of the Hurricane area along I-15 up onto Blackridge, so chances are we will be out plowing snow.”
According to the National Weather Service, a “Hazardous Weather Outlook” is in effect for the western two-thirds of Utah, including Dixie and Zion National Park.
The ongoing winter storm continues across Southern Utah, according to the NWS. The brunt of the storm is waning across the western valleys, but snow rates remain significant across south-central and southeast Utah into Monday night.
Safety tips to remember when driving in snow and ice
Both Hicks and Abbott recommended drivers slow down and increase their following distance so drivers have more time to stop than normal.
“We really encourage the use of seatbelts that will help protect your life,” Hicks said. “Even if you’re doing everything right, the person next to you might not be, and if they happen to crash into you, you want your best protection which is your safety belt.”
Drivers should also avoid heavy breaking and heavy acceleration, he said, and take extra precaution when driving under the over passes where there can be more ice.
“I think what people underestimate the most is the amount of travel following distance they need,” Hicks said. “It’s so critical because things happen suddenly and you can’t stop what you’re used to stopping in that kind of distance.”
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Apple Valley, Utah, where school bus slid off SR-59. Photo courtesy of Katherine Cline and Nora Cooke, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah, with 11 inches and counting. Photo courtesy of Tyson Beth Donaldson, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah. 400 North - 300 West. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah, 400 North - 700 West. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, 500 South - Main Street. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah, 800 West. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah. 1000 West - 200 North. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah, 1050 West. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah, 1050 West. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Kayenta Circle, Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah, Kayenta Circle. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah, Southern Utah University, 800 West. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah. University Boulevard - 900 West. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City. Utah. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City, Utah. 400 North - 600 West. Photo by St. George News Reporter Carin Miller, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Cedar City,Utah. Photo courtesy of Lloyd W Smith Jr., Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Dammeron Valley, Utah. Photo courtesy of Annie Simkins, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Dammeron Valley, Utah. Photo courtesy of Lori Cool Cuskelly, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Diamond Valley, Utah. Photo courtesy of Natalie Ekins Riley, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Enoch, Utah, with 12 inches. Photo courtesy of Amy Theil Palmer, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Enterprise, Utah. Photo courtesy of Chris TaKera Huber, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Enterprise, Utah. Photo courtesy of Alicia Thomas, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Enterprise, Utah. Photo courtesy of Chris TaKara Huber, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Fredonia, Arizona. Photo courtesy of Tina Judd, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of Ray Manning, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of Amberae Ochotzki-Canfield, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of CaroLee Bell Arscott, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of Christi Jackson, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of Christina DeMille, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of Jen Demke, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of Kay-leah Bennett, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah. Photo courtesy of Karen Rangitsch, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of Patti Carlson, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of Brue Paige, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of Terry Clark Witkowski, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Hurricane, Utah, Photo courtesy of Tyler Polich, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Ivins, Utah. Photo courtesy of Debra Ward, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Ivins, Utah. Photo courtesy of Amy Spencer Huggard, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Ivins, Utah. Photo courtesy of Andy Leclair, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Ivins, Utah. Photo courtesy of Christy Fiscer, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Ivins, Utah. Photo courtesy of Gail Castro-Lundin, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Ivins, Utah. Photo courtesy of Grace Thomas, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Ivins, Utah. Photo courtesy of Jessica Eileen Staples, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Ivins, Utah. Photo courtesy of Norma Garmendez, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Ivins, Utah. Photo by St. George News Reporter Hollie Reina, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
LaVerkin, Utah. Photo courtesy of Jamie Lyon Haynes, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
LaVerkin, Utah. Photo courtesy of Tony Evans, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Moccasin, Arizona, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Moccasin, Arizona, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Santa Clara, Utah. Photo courtesy of Angela Stratton, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Springdale, Utah. Photo courtesy of Van Dezy, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. The Sugarloah, also known as Dixie Rock. Photo courtesy of Kade Burr, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. 700 S. River Road. Photo by St. George News Reporter Ric Wayman, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. 2450 East. Photo courtesy of Yvonne Baur, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. St. George Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Photo courtesy of Kade Burr, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Bloomington. Photo courtesy of Emiliano Rosas, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Bloomington Country Club golf course. Photo by St. George News Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Bloomington. Photo courtesy of Preston Sanders. Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Bloomington Country Club golf course. Photo by St. George News Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Bluff Street. Photo courtesy of LuAnn Horne Dewey, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Desert Hills. Photo courtesy of Kyra Harmon, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Tonaquint Intermediate School. Photo courtesy of Marc Stallings, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Dixie Downs. Photo courtesy of Patti Keck, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Dixie Regional Medical Center. Photo courtesy of Krystal Stark, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. dixie Regional Medical Center. Photo by St. George News Reporter Ric Wayman, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Photo courtesy of John Ellis, who said: "Bad snowman looking for a good time. Making the most of it since life is short for a snowman in St George." Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Little Valley. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Brown Bennett, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Dixie Applied Technology College on Dixie Drive. Photo courtesy of Devan Stringham, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. St. George Golf Course, Hole No. 1. Photo courtesy of Carol Gerlach, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Bloomington. Photo courtesy of Marc Stallings, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Green Valley. Photo courtesy of Jen Schultz, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Interstate 15. Photo courtesy of Anne Garfield, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Photo courtesy of Jetta Rose Mickelsen, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Middleton. Photo courtesy of Brandy Knowles, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Middleton Drive. Photo courtesy of Collette Williams, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. St. George Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Photo courtesy of Kade Burr, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Near Red the mall. Photo courtesy of Kara Mislak, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Near the Sunbowl. Photo courtesy of Judy Bills sorenson, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Near 1450 South toward s Stonecliff. Photo courtesy of Gail Panzer Wilson, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Near Hope and Diagonal. Photo courtesy of Amber Ippolito, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Off Valley View. Photo courtesy of Ellen Schumacher Bingham, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Pilot Station by Brigham Road. Photo by St. George News Reporter Ric Wayman, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. River Road at Fort Pierce area. Photo courtesy of Judy Anderson Albanese, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Photo courtesy of Samantha Marie Meldrum, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Southgate Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Mike McMicken, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Sunbrook. Photo courtesy of Dhelz Kun, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. St. George Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the background. Photo by St. George News Reporter Ric Wayman, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Dixie Downs. Photo courtesy of Della Carter, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Photo courtesy of Tracie Lund, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Up from Costco. Photo courtesy of Nick Squires, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Full valley landscape. Photo courtesy of Angie Adams, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. W. Bloomington Dr. S. Photo by St. George News Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
St. George, Utah. Photo courtesy of Yvonne Baur, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Veyo, Utah. Photo courtesy of Ruth Tidwell, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Photo courtesy of Amie Reed Roberts, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Photo courtesy of Byron Atkinson, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Coral Canyon, photo courtesy of Colleen Andersen England, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Washington Fields. Photo courtesy of Lisa Lindsay, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Washington Fields. Photo courtesy of Vicki Bennett, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Washington Fields. Photo courtesy of Brian-Shannon Newell-Mock, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Washington Fields. Photo courtesy of Celena Jones Dennett, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Green Springs. Photo courtesy of Jawnie Brown Mathson, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Photo courtesy of Lynnele N. Blake, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Photo courtesy of MInerva Trevizo, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington City, Utah. Coral Canyon. Photo courtesy of Misty T. Dahl, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Photo courtesy of Sammy Jo Oili-Abordo, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. SB I-15 Exit 12. Photo courtesy of Lynnele N Blake, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Photo courtesy of Catherine Roundy, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Washington, Utah. Photo courtesy of Randy Claunch, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
West Virginia. (Ed. note: Yes, we have friends in West Virginia!) Photo courtesy of Kent Forsyth, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Winchester Hills, Utah. Photo courtesy of T Lindsey McArthur, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Winchester Hills, Utah. Photo courtesy of Amber Nicole Beckstead, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Winchester Hills, Utah. Photo courtesy of Chad Luethje, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Winchester Hills, Utah. Photo courtesy of Kandi Johnson, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Winchester Hills, Utah. Photo courtesy of Nikki Curlis, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Winchester Hills, Utah. Photo courtesy ofJoan Wipff Glasgow, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Unidentified location. Photo courtesy of Risa Gonzalez, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Unidentified location. Photo courtesy of Josee Hildebrandt, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Unidentified location. Photo courtesy of Carri Elder, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Unidentified location. Photo courtesy of Richard Locs, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Unidentified location. Photo courtesy of Suzanne Norris, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Unidentified location. Photo courtesy of Jerica Webb, Feb. 23, 2015 | St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kimberly Scott is a lifetime resident of Southern Utah. In 2013, Kimberly joined St. George News as a vital member of its editing, reporting and administrative team. She is passionate about engaging communities through writing and is dedicated to providing complete and accurate coverage of both anticipated and breaking news.
You have offered a complete and phenomenal photo journey through the area from Cedar City and south. I congratulate you and will save this for my family members, who are elsewhere, to enjoy. Again, a job very well done.
You have offered a complete and phenomenal photo journey through the area from Cedar City and south. I congratulate you and will save this for my family members, who are elsewhere, to enjoy. Again, a job very well done.
Should of called a cab they make good snow plows