Traffic on I-80 during snowstorm //Townlift - K. Kohlwey Photo:

PARK CITY, Utah — It may only be October but one of Parleys Canyons worst traffic accidents happened in October 1984. Between Oct. 17 and 18, 1984 a lake-effect storm dumped 2 feet of snow across the Salt Lake Valley within 48 hours causing havoc on the streets of Salt Lake City and beyond.

Parleys Canyon was treacherous, and a 56-car pileup ensued. This caused major traffic delays. Even in Salt Lake City Utah Highway Patrol cars got stuck and had to be pushed out of snowbanks and through high slushy snow to be able to proceed.

The Deseret News Archives report snow totals of up to 27 inches for this storm. Salt Lake City airport reported 18.4 inches of snow. The University of Utah recorded 24 inches of snow and closed down. 22 of those inches fell within 24 hours. The highest reported snow total in the Salt Lake Valley was in Holladay with 27 inches. Park City reported heavy snow on Oct. 17, 1984.

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During this one storm between 200,000 and half a million trees were damaged causing widespread power outages. The total damage was over $1 million.

As the Utah Division of Emergency Management states, “This disaster spotlight is a timely reminder that fall weather can be incredibly variable and warrants extra caution when getting out to explore the fall colors.”

Consider putting on snow tires now and listen to warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Carry a vehicle emergency kit in all your vehicles. You can access a suggested list here but remember to adjust it for your family’s needs with specific medications, food etc. Additional lists are available at BeReadyUtah.gov.

Traction devices are required during severe winter weather conditions on roads throughout Utah, including I-80 in Parleys Canyon, US-40 in Summit and Wasatch Counties, and SR-224 in Park City.

Just having an AWD/4WD vehicle is not good enough. As a minimum you must also have M + S or M/S tires on all wheels if the traction law goes into effect.

Alternatively, or if you have a 2WD vehicle, traction devices such as chains, snow socks, etc. or 3 peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) tires on all wheels are also acceptable.