Winter weather deceives drivers, I-15 rollovers increase
 
IRON COUNTY – Travelers headed north from St. George may be in for a big surprise today. Signs along Interstate 15 yesterday warned of dangerous road conditions and said roads would be clear by 9 a.m. today. However, more rollovers prove that I-15 is even more dangerous today than it was yesterday as compacted snow has turned into ice.
 
Teri Lowe was planning to drive from St. George to Ogden today, and headed out around 11:30 a.m. However, she said she turned around as cars all around her began sliding off the road, several of them turning into dangerous rollovers.
 
“It was sunny but 22 degrees and blowing snow,” she said. “Roads were compacted snow ice before Cedar. (There were) multiple rollovers and slide-offs right in front of us. It was deceiving. Very icy. And long backups. One especially didn't look good at all. I hope everyone is OK.”
 
Those traveling home and taking I-15 southbound will not find clear roads until they pass New Harmony, and roads were still wet going into Leeds.
 
An Emergency Alert was issued at 1:21 p.m. today for Washington County. The alert said strong winds have created icy conditions along I-15, just south of Cedar City. Motorists should stay around 40 miles per hour and use extreme caution.
 
SR 143, Brian Head to Mammoth Creek, is closed due to blowing snow and high winds.
 
Splendor Sargent told the Dixie Press she drove to St. George last night and the roads weren’t as bad as long as she drove slowly.
 
Traffic on I-15 southbound was clogged for several hours yesterday afternoon as traffic was diverted off off I-15 due to a rollover.
 
For information on road conditions, visit www.commuterlink.utah.gov.