Snow Squall Warning Issued for Southern Utah Counties Including Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a Snow Squall Warning for portions of southern and southwestern Utah. This alert is an immediate notification of a dangerous weather event characterized by intense bursts of snow and high winds.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions:

• Southwestern Garfield County
• Southeastern Washington County
• Western Kane County
• Southeastern Iron County

Specific locations impacted include Kanab, Zion National Park, Apple Valley, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Virgin, Orderville, Springdale, Glendale, Rockville, Alton, Long Valley Junction, Mt Carmel, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes. The warning also specifically includes US Route 89 between mile markers 65 and 108.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the warning area are advised to consider avoiding or delaying travel until the snow squall passes. If travel is necessary, use extreme caution and allow for significant extra time. Drivers should be prepared for rapid changes in visibility and slick road conditions, which can lead to accidents within minutes.

Expected Conditions

At 10:34 AM MST, radar and surface observations confirmed a dangerous snow squall moving east at 45 mph. Hazards include:

• Heavy Snow: Intense bursts of snow leading to rapid accumulation.
• Visibility: Visibility is expected to fall rapidly to less than one-quarter mile.
• Wind: Gusts greater than 50 mph are possible, which may knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.
• Blowing Snow: High winds will create blowing snow conditions, further reducing visibility.

Timeline

The Snow Squall Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to remain in effect until 11:30 AM MST on February 18, 2026.