Winter Storm in Wasatch Mountains I-80 North, Utah

A powerful winter storm brought heavy snow and strong winds to the area. Reported snow observations include 27 inches of snow in the Logan Mountains (3.1 inches water), 23 inches of snow at Powder Mountain (2.5 inches water), and 18 inches of snow at Snowbasin - Base (1.9 inches of water). Additionally, several SNOTEL stations including Lightning Ridge, Ben Lomond Peak, and Monte Cristo recorded from 1.6 to 2.7 inches of snow water equivalent, resulting in approximately 21 to 37 inches of snow. Some peak wind gust observations through the event include 97 mph at Snowbasin - Straw Top, 78 mph at Snowbasin - Strawberry Tower 15, and 76 mph at Ogden Peak. Inclement conditions also resulted in widespread winter driving conditions along higher elevation routes. Examples include a multi-vehicle pileup on I-80 near the Wyoming border, closure of Sardine Canyon for road snow mitigation, and numerous accidents and slide-offs on I-80 through Parleys Canyon. Incidences of additional accidents and slide-offs are noted elsewhere through the zone.

A strong and moist trough pushed inland during the middle portion of February, leading to several days of impactful weather. Strong southwesterly flow on the leading edge of the trough resulted in many instances of strong winds and gusts, and moisture was sufficient to begin producing mountain snow more or less throughout the state. The deep nature of the trough then contained sufficient cold air to drop snow levels following a cold frontal passage, bringing snow to many valley floors, areas of scattered snow squalls, and a period of intense snowfall rates to some of the northern mountains. The snowfall resulted in numerous vehicle accidents, road and canyon closures, and avalanches (of which a fatality was reported).