Winter Storm in Central Mountains, Utah

Several SNOTEL stations including Seely Creek, Upper Joes Valley, and Red Pine Ridge recorded from 0.9 to 1.5 inches of snow water equivalent, resulting in approximately 12 to 21 inches of snow. Some peak wind gust observations through the event include 84 mph at Signal Peak, 80 mph at Scipio Summit, and 76 mph at Bull Claim Hill. Multiple vehicle accidents and slide-offs were also reported along I-70.

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).