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SALT LAKE CITY — Add Zion National Park to the list of places bracing for a large snowstorm that's expected to hit all of Utah throughout the rest of the week.
Yes, southern Utah, which already received a few inches of snow over Presidents Day weekend, is expected to receive more snow as a part of the large storm. In fact, Zion National Park officials are expecting anywhere from 6 inches to 2 feet of snow from Wednesday through Friday — with higher elevations expected to have the most snow.
Officials are advising park visitors that a winter storm warning issued for the area will likely cause delays and closures at the park.
"The park will be clearing roads, with the priorities being the facilities in lower Zion Canyon and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive from the South Entrance through Canyon Junction and to the Zion Lodge in order to maintain emergency service access to park facilities," Zion National Park spokeswoman Aly Baltrus wrote in a statement.
Snow has already caused problems for other places in the state. Utah Highway Patrol troopers have investigated about 32 crashes across the state, as of about 9 a.m. Wednesday.
"Remember: Winter driving boils down to leaving yourself reaction time. The faster you go and the closer you follow that vehicle in front of you, the less reaction time you have. So, slow down and increasing following distance," UHP tweeted.
Not exactly picnic weather.... Our own Hailey Smith sends this photo from Weber County! Look at all that snow! pic.twitter.com/gdXk5pHnV1
— Grant Weyman (@KSLweyman) February 20, 2019
Here's what Utahns can expect from the latest storm expected to slam the state:
Southern and central Utah
Kolob Canyons Road at Zion National Park was closed due to snow Wednesday afternoon. In a tweet, park officials wrote they expected the road would remain closed "for a few days."
Winter Storm Warning Update: The Kolob Canyons Road has closed due to snow. It is likely to be closed for a few days.
— Zion National Park (@ZionNPS) February 20, 2019
Read the full warning here: https://t.co/rHN1ioucHp
Until roads can be safely plowed, Baltrus warned Zion National Park visitors that delays should be expected on the Mount Carmel Highway from the east entrance at the park, through the tunnel and to Canyon Junction. Delays are also expected for Zion Canyon Scenic Drive north of the Zion Lodge.
She added weather could close or delay the opening times of the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Kolob Canyons Visitor Center.
The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway will close at 7 p.m. Wednesday in anticipation of the storm, park officials said on Twitter. The road will be closed between Canyon Junction and the east entrance of the park, officials said.
The Zion Scenic Drive will also close at 7 p.m. north of Zion Lodge, officials said.
Other parts of southern and central areas of the state — even St. George — are under a winter storm warning, and the mountains in the area are expected to get 1 to 2 feet of snow Wednesday through Friday, according to KSL Weather. The Dixie area should expect 3 to 6 inches of snow while Cedar City can expect 6 to 12 inches.
WARNING! Winter Storm Warning for the south and central. Even St. George will see snow and accumulation by FRIDAY morning. pic.twitter.com/onI1dhEj4b
— Grant Weyman (@KSLweyman) February 20, 2019
There will be "statewide road snow" through Wednesday and Thursday, but southern Utah will bear the brunt of that, according to the Utah Department of Transportation.
Southeastern Utah will experience "road snow," especially along stretches of U.S. 191 from Moab to the Arizona state line late Wednesday afternoon through Thursday, UDOT said.
UDOT Region 4 officials warned that state Route 31 through Huntington Canyon could close Thursday due to the risk of avalanches.
POTENTIAL CLOSURE of SR-31 in Huntington Canyon as early as Thursday afternoon due to risk of avalanches from the incoming storm. Monitor @udottraffic for real-time information regarding road closures and conditions. This one dumped 6 feet over 200 yards on SR-31 Monday night. pic.twitter.com/E1YwEfKYfR
— UDOT Region Four (@UDOTRegionFour) February 20, 2019
Interstate 15 will experience road snow across the state, especially from Scipio Summit south to Arizona. The area near the I-15 and I-70 junction at Cove Fort will also see "decent amounts of road snow" Wednesday afternoon through Thursday.
The southern mountains, the U.S. 89 valley from Panguitch to Kanab and the I-70 passes and summits over the San Rafael Swell will experience serious winter weather, as well, UDOT reported.
ROAD WEATHER ALERT: Continued snowfall from ID border to Layton looks to impact the AM commute. Statewide road snow through the day WED into THUR. Highest road snow totals look to be in Southern Utah. For More Info: https://t.co/rsT9lYxXn0#utsnow@UtahTruckingpic.twitter.com/QftVATFSde
— UDOT Traffic (@UDOTTRAFFIC) February 20, 2019
Northern Utah
Continued snowfall from the Idaho border to Layton impacted the morning commute in northern Utah on Wednesday, and KSL Traffic reported winter driving conditions in Weber and north Davis counties. The drive time in some areas was even doubled.
We've got WINTER driving CONDITIONS in Weber and No. Davis right now! JOIN ME from 5-7am live on @KSL5TV with the details to that drive... pic.twitter.com/4tuRRJ1lYm
— HALEY SMITH (@haleysmithKSL) February 20, 2019
Several cars spun out, and officials urged commuters to slow down.
Beware of snow and ice if traveling near the Idaho border through early afternoon. Here is the current look from I-84 and I-15 up that way. #utwxpic.twitter.com/hh3KoYYCvO
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) February 20, 2019
The Utah Transit Authority announced some changes to bus routes in northern Utah as well, especially those servicing Weber State and North Ogden, but the only bus left on snow routing as of 9:30 a.m. is Route 625 that services the loop to Benedicts Manor.
Bus Alert 5:05 am - The following routes have been placed on snow routing:
— UTA (@RideUTA) February 20, 2019
* All routes servicing Weber State
* 625 - will not service the loop to Benedicts Manor
* 612 - will not service the loop in North Ogden
For more info on individual snow routes: https://t.co/JgdOyhqJJg
School in the Weber and Ogden school districts was not canceled Wednesday, but if parents in Weber County choose to keep their children home, the absence will be excused and homework can be made up, the district tweeted.
All buses are running & schools are open today. If you choose to keep children home, the absence will be excused & homework can be made up.
— WSD Notifications (@WSDNotification) February 20, 2019
Students in Ogden will not be marked tardy during first period due to weather delays. Some school buses were also delayed Wednesday, the district said.
All school locations will operate on their normal schedule today. Travel with caution. Students will not be marked tardy during 1st period for weather delays.
— OgdenSchoolDistrict (@ogdensd) February 20, 2019
Some school buses may be delayed this morning due to conditions. Parents should monitor students until their bus arrives.
Wasatch Front
The Wasatch Front will see plenty of snow on the roads, especially through Wednesday, UDOT officials said.