51:24
On Feb. 6 of this year, two groups of skiers went into Salt Lake City’s Millcreek Canyon for a day of powdery ski runs in the backcountry.
They were experienced skiers, knowledgeable about the dangers of avalanches but were still caught by the uncertain, shifting conditions of a snow-packed mountainside. Four young people lost their lives that day. In the wake of this tragedy, we look at the history of avalanches, the snow science behind the slides and, critically, the human factor. Snow careening down a mountain generally only matters to us insofar that it affects humans. We’ll talk with three avalanche experts about what an avalanche is and what it means to us this Friday at noon.
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Traffic
The Utah Department of Transportation urged drivers to delay their travel on Wednesday until 10 a.m. due to road conditions. The Cottonwood canyons expect to see 20-25 inches, according to UDOT. Big Cottonwood Canyon restrictions regarding traction devices were lifted by UDOT around 7:20 p.m.
Several crashes and slide-offs were reported Wednesday morning along freeways in the Salt Lake Valley and speeds were significantly reduced, according to the KSL Traffic Center.
By 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Utah Highway Patrol had responded to 219 crashes statewide, the agency said. Since the latest round of winter storms began on Saturday, troopers have investigated a total of 659 crashes and slide-offs.
After spending two nights in the snow, two snowmobilers and two Franklin County Search and Rescue volunteers walked into the welcoming arms of emergency medical service personnel at about 5
KSL TV
5PM: Little Cottonwood Canyon closed all day
KSL TV
SALT LAKE CITY Restrictions are in place for several northern Utah canyons as more snow continued to fall Tuesday. And forecasters say avalanche danger remains extremely high.
Utah Department of Transportation issued a travel advisory for Wednesday morning along the Wasatch Front. UDOT official John Gleason said the department is asking people to delay travel until 10 a.m. due to road conditions. Valleys along the I-15 corridor are expecting snow totals of 4-6 inches and Cottonwood canyons expect to see 20-25 inches, according to UDOT. With this much snow expected, we ve got to put safety first, Gleason said in a statement. If drivers can stay off the roads tomorrow morning, they can avoid the worst of the weather, and give our crews a chance to remove the snow from the highways.
KSL TV
5PM: Little Cottonwood Canyon closed all day
KSL TV
SALT LAKE CITY Restrictions are in place for several northern Utah canyons as more snow continued to fall Tuesday. And forecasters say avalanche danger remains extremely high.
Utah Department of Transportation issued a travel advisory for Wednesday morning along the Wasatch Front. UDOT official John Gleason said the department is asking people to delay travel until 10 a.m. due to road conditions. Valleys along the I-15 corridor are expecting snow totals of 4-6 inches and Cottonwood canyons expect to see 20-25 inches, according to UDOT. With this much snow expected, we ve got to put safety first, Gleason said in a statement. If drivers can stay off the roads tomorrow morning, they can avoid the worst of the weather, and give our crews a chance to remove the snow from the highways.