A storm will bring several inches of snow to northern Utah and the Salt Lake Valley this weekend and could cause difficulties for drivers, especially on mountain roads.
The National Weather Service predicted 3 to 4 inches of snow will accumulate in Salt Lake City through Sunday afternoon, with 4 to 6 inches expected in Ogden and up to 3 inches in Provo.
Ski resorts are expecting anywhere from a few inches to nearly a foot of powder into Sunday, with Alta forecast to receive 6 to 8 inches.
The Utah Department of Transportation anticipated the storm would wreak havoc on mountain roads and also warned of “moderate” weather-related conditions along the I-15 corridor from Tremonton to just past Cedar City.
A winter weather advisory — which was in effect for much of the Wasatch Front until 10 a.m. Sunday — said that “[a]ll major mountain passes” in that area will have slippery road conditions.
NWS predicted road conditions would begin to worsen on Saturday after 5 p.m.
Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons were congested with traffic before ski resorts closed Saturday. Officials closed Little Cottonwood Canyon for avalanche control around 3:15 p.m. and opened it about two hours later. Traffic was still crawling out of the canyon after 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Little Cottonwood Canyon was closed to uphill traffic from 8 p.m. on Saturday to 8 a.m. on Sunday for avalanche control.
Officials reported at least two vehicle slide-offs in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday. One of those cars was equipped with snow chains.
Follow @PaightenHarkins