UHP Warns Drivers of Black Ice as Temps Plummet

Authorities urge caution on Utah roads as winter storm brings deep freeze

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Utah Highway Patrol and Utah Department of Transportation are warning drivers to be on the lookout for black ice on the roads as temperatures are expected to drop sharply overnight, creating hazardous travel conditions even in areas that saw little additional snowfall. Troopers are urging drivers to slow down, leave extra space between vehicles, and follow winter driving protocols to stay safe.

Why it matters

Black ice is an invisible but extremely dangerous road hazard that can catch drivers off guard, leading to loss of control and serious accidents. With the heavy snowfall from the recent winter storm, the threat of black ice is heightened, requiring extra vigilance from drivers to navigate the roads safely.

The details

According to social media posts from UHP and UDOT, the winter storm that brought heavy snow on Wednesday is now followed by a deep freeze, which means any remaining moisture on the roads can instantly turn to black ice overnight. While four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles can help with traction in the snow, they do not improve braking on icy surfaces. Troopers are urging drivers to slow down, leave extra space, and follow the 'B.L.I.Z.Z.A.R.D.' winter driving protocol to stay safe.

  • On Wednesday, the winter storm delivered the heaviest snowfall of the season.
  • Overnight on Thursday into Friday, temperatures are expected to drop sharply, creating the threat of black ice.

The players

Utah Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling Utah's highways and interstates.

Utah Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for maintaining and improving Utah's transportation infrastructure, including roads and highways.

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What they’re saying

“'Round 1 brought the snow. Round 2 is bringing the deep freeze. When temperatures drop tonight, any wet roads can instantly turn to black ice.'”

— Utah Highway Patrol (Social media post)

“'4WD and AWD help you GO. They do absolutely nothing to help you STOP.'”

— Utah Highway Patrol (Social media post)

“'Motorists are advised to use caution. Traction laws could be enforced on canyon and mountain routes if conditions warrant.'”

— Utah Department of Transportation (Social media post)

What’s next

Drivers can check road conditions and traffic cameras on UDOT's TravelWise website before heading out on the roads.

The takeaway

This winter storm serves as a stark reminder that black ice can be an invisible but extremely hazardous threat on the roads, requiring extra vigilance from drivers to navigate safely, even in areas that saw little snowfall. Following established winter driving protocols and checking road conditions before travel are crucial steps to avoid accidents.