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Life-Threatening Snow Squalls Hit Southwestern Utah
18 Feb
Summary
- Over 160,000 people received urgent snow squall warnings.
- Sudden whiteout conditions and icy roads imperiled motorists.
- Wind gusts reached 75 mph, causing dangerous travel conditions.
On Wednesday morning, meteorologists issued "life-threatening" snow squall warnings across southwestern Utah, affecting over 160,000 people. These warnings alerted residents to the sudden onset of heavy snow and powerful winds, capable of causing rapid and severe visibility reductions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Salt Lake City issued the initial alerts shortly after 9:40 a.m. local time, with follow-up warnings extending further east. Meteorologist Brittany Whitlam noted a strong cold front accompanied by a 75 mph wind gust recorded in Cedar City, indicating potential for further squall conditions.
Snow squalls are defined by the NWS as sudden, short-lived winter hazards, often lasting less than an hour. They are characterized by white-out conditions, rapidly forming icy roads, and brief but extreme impacts on travel and commerce. While accumulations can be minor, the combination of gusty winds and reduced visibility creates exceptionally dangerous situations for motorists.
Specific areas under warning included Cedar City, Enoch, and Beaver, with affected roadways such as Interstate 15 and Utah Route 56. Motorists were strongly advised to delay travel or exercise extreme caution. The NWS also cautioned about possible power outages due to wind gusts strong enough to damage tree limbs and dislodge unsecured objects.
