CEDAR CITY — Multiple crashes on Interstate 15 in Southern Utah were reported early Tuesday afternoon within an hour of the National Weather Service’s alert warning motorists of a snow squall passing through the area (see map).
According to the UDOT Traffic website, just after 1 p.m. multiple crashes were reported on northbound I-15 near mile marker 52, just north of the Hamilton Fort exit.
The series of crashes involved multiple semitractor-trailers and passenger cars, Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Randy Riches told Cedar City News.
Traffic on northbound I-15 is reportedly being diverted off the interstate at exits 51 and 42.
Clearance time is expected to take around four hours, or until approximately 5 p.m., according to UDOT.
Riches also confirmed another crash involving a semi shortly before 2 p.m. near I-15’s exit 57 in Cedar City.
According to the NWS interactive alert transmitted just before 12:30 p.m., “A dangerous snow squall was located along a line extending from near New Harmony to 13 miles north of LaVerkin to 10 miles north of Quail Creek State Park, moving east at 15 mph.”
According to the alert message, the storm, with wind gusts of up to 35 mph, has brought or is expected to bring intense bursts of heavy snow and gusty winds leading to blowing snow and visibility rapidly falling to less than one-quarter mile.
Drivers are advised to slow down and anticipate sudden changes in visibility and road conditions.
Riches also said earlier that a number of additional crashes and slide-offs had been reported in and around Iron County since Tuesday morning but added that he wasn’t aware of any serious injuries in any of those incidents.
As for the early afternoon pileup centered in the area identified in the squall warning, Riches said he didn’t have any details yet as the scene was still active.
Shortly before 5 p.m., Riches provided a brief update, saying the wreckage from the pileup near mile marker 51 has mostly been cleared. However, he added that there have been several other crashes and slideoffs along the median and shoulder of the roadway up through Cedar City, making traffic continue to move slowly.
Additionally, state Route 143 reportedly has been closed between Brian Head and Panguitch due to snowy conditions, although the section of SR-143 between Parowan and Brian Head reportedly is open. Additionally, on SR-20 between I-15 and Panguitch, tire chains are required on all vehicles in both directions.
Shortly before 4 p.m., UDOT Traffic tweeted that U.S. 89 is Kane County is closed in both directions at mile post 70, about five miles north of Kanab, due to weather conditions. About 30 minutes later, UDOT posted that SR-9 is closed until further notice through Zion National Park, between mile markers 32 and 45.
According to the National Park Service, drivers who are already in the park may exit the park but cannot travel on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway across the park or up Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Watch for snowplows on roads. For updates on road conditions in Zion, click here.
Then, at 4:40 p.m., UDOT added another tweet indicating that SR-59 is congested in both directions, from Hurricane to the Utah-Arizona border, “due to inclement weather and slick roads.” Delays are expected until at least 7 p.m.
The NWS alert also advises motorists to consider avoiding or delaying travel until after the storm has passed.
“If you must travel, use extra caution and allow extra time. Rapid changes in visibility and slick road conditions may lead to accidents.”
This is a developing story.
Updated 3:35 p.m. Feb. 14, Adds a reader-submitted photo of I-15 crash near Kanarraville.
Updated 4:55 p.m., to include traffic update from Utah Highway Patrol and UDOT.
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