ST. GEORGE — There wasn’t a white Christmas, but it may be a wet New Year’s in the greater St. George area. The white stuff will be prevalent further north in Iron County and in the local mountains, with winter storm and avalanche alert coming into effect for the local mountains. for the entire New Year’s weekend.
A winter storm warning has been issued for the local mountains, including Brian Head, from 5 p.m., Saturday through 5 a.m., Monday. The weather service warns snow may accumulate up to three feet in Pine Valley and Brian Head with wind gusts up to 40 mph. Along with that, the weather service has issued an avalanche watch for the local mountains through at least Saturday morning. People are advised to stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees outside the ski resort.
In the lower elevations, while parts of St. George saw brief moments of non-accumulating snow on Thursday, National Weather Service meteorologist Sam Webber, based in Salt Lake City, said not to expect any snow accumulation in the greater St. George area even though there will be a lot of moisture with this storm.
“A chance for snow, especially accumulating snowfall, is unlikely given how warm a majority of this incoming storm system will be,” Webber said. “We don’t want to discredit the possibility of at least seeing some snow in the air overnight Sunday and Monday morning. Some flurries could definitely be possible, especially for the higher elevation areas within lower Washington County.”
But it will be a wet New Year’s Eve in the St. George and Cedar City areas with a 90% to 100% chance of rain throughout Southern Utah on New Year’s Eve. In Cedar City, that rain is expected to become snow after 8 p.m. Saturday and stay that way through New Year’s Day. Cedar City should expect two to four inches of snow on the ground to start the year.
And a wet new year it will be, with the weather service saying precipitation patterns are expected to last through at least next Thursday with a brief break of sunshine on Monday.
Precautionary and preparedness actions
For the most current conditions, warnings and advisories, go to the National Weather Service-Salt Lake City office website. Additional information on driving conditions can be found at the UDOT website, as well as UDOT’s Commuterlink for current road and weather conditions, or dial 511.
Download this printable PDF: Vehicle Preparation and Safety Precautions for Winter Weather. This is a project the whole family could participate in – make it a scavenger hunt with potentially lifesaving benefits.
Getting ready
- Be aware of road conditions. UDOT recommends checking CommuterLink for road and weather conditions before leaving home.
- Clear any frost and snow from the car’s lights and windows. Make an effort to see and be seen while driving.
- Inspect the vehicle’s tires, fluids, wiper blades, lights and hoses. Preventative maintenance may save a car from breaking down and stranding drivers and passengers on the highway.
- Allow for leeway in travel time. Expect to drive slowly in adverse weather conditions. High speeds can lead to skidding off the road and getting stuck in the snow.
- Have emergency supplies in the car. A basic winter emergency kit may include items like a flashlight, batteries, snacks, water, gloves, boots and a first-aid kit.
When driving
- Take it slow. Drive well below posted speed limits and leave plenty of space between cars.
- Approach intersections, off-ramps, bridges and shaded areas slowly. These areas are hot spots for black ice.
- Slow down in cases of limited visibility and be alert.
- Whether someone drives an elevated SUV or a ground-kissing Toyota Prius, again, UDOT says to take it slow. Just because a truck has 4-wheel drive doesn’t change how it handles on the road, especially when traction goes out the window. Mother Nature is no respecter of automotive diversity.
- Keep the vehicle’s speed down. The faster the car goes, the longer it takes to stop. Be slow on the accelerator or risk having the car skid when the next stop sign appears.
- Do not use the car’s cruise control while ice and snow still abound.
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