Cedar City, Utah – An early morning snowstorm hit Cedar City and the surrounding mountain passes with intensity on Tuesday, creating hazardous driving conditions and testing the resources of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) as crews worked tirelessly to clear the roads.
UDOT had taken preventive measures ahead of the storm, treating roads before the snow began to fall. However, heavy snow came down quickly, creating conditions that escalated faster than expected.
“This one’s a wet and heavy one,” said Kevin Kitchen, Senior Communications Director for UDOT Region Four. “Some areas have been hit harder than others. One of the ways we prepared was to pre-wet the roads, particularly on I-15.”
Despite these efforts, the rate of snowfall soon surpassed the capacity of the plows to keep up. Kitchen explained that snowplows face the same challenges as other drivers on the road, such as crashes and slowdowns, which can delay snow removal efforts. He also emphasized that drivers may not always see snowplows, even when they are on the road.
“One of the things I think is really confusing for people when they’re driving is they think ‘Oh, there’s so much snow and where are the snowplows?’” Kitchen said. “That snowplow may be just behind you or just ahead. Depending on the rate of fall, it may seem like a snowplow hasn’t been there.”
According to Kitchen, once snow falls at a rate of more than one inch per hour, the accumulation can outpace the snowplows’ ability to clear the roads. When snow falls at a slower rate, UDOT can typically keep up.
The storm also caused significant disruptions for local businesses. Jonathan Thomas, the operating manager of Iron County Taxi, reported that his service had to shut down temporarily due to whiteout conditions and low visibility.
“We had whiteout conditions and heightened risk,” said Thomas. “Even with snow tires, sometimes you just have to wait for the plows to come through before it’s safe to drive.”
Despite the challenges, Thomas commended the efforts of both the Cedar City and UDOT snowplow crews. “I’ve got to say, one thing when it comes to Cedar City is we have the best crews, not only our police, but our cleanup crews keeping everything up and running. Small town, but we get it done,” he said.
As road conditions deteriorated, UDOT urged drivers to exercise caution by slowing down, maintaining extra space for snowplows, and checking road conditions before venturing out. Officials also warned that ice can quickly form on roads after the snow stops falling, especially on bridges, overpasses, and at higher elevations.
Thomas, who has a background in medical transport and defensive driving, reminded drivers to take advantage of all the safety tools available to them. “Our cars have a way to communicate, people don’t really realize that. You can put on your hazards, that’s letting people know you’re going slower than normal, that you’re being precautious,” he said.
He also recommended keeping essential emergency supplies in the vehicle, including a first aid kit, roadside flares, and a snow scraper. “Your clothing is your first line of defense, dress appropriately for the weather,” Thomas added.
As the storm continued through the day, UDOT and local officials remained vigilant, urging the public to stay informed and cautious during the difficult winter conditions.