How a snowstorm in Oct. 1984 caused record-setting damage in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — You can’t help but notice how warm it has been — and even the summer-like weather over the last weekend. Today was no different in Utah.

Traditionally, autumn seems like a nice season to go outside. But did you know this week marks the 40th anniversary of one of the worst snowstorms ever in Utah? It’s definitely “Wirth Watching.”

In Oct. 2024, Parley’s Canyon has seen warm temperatures, dry weather, and fall colors — even at 7,000 feet at Summit Park. In the past, it was not uncommon to have a snowstorm up there by this point.

This week is the 40th anniversary of the record-setting snowstorm in Salt Lake City.

Portions of Salt Lake County received nearly two feet of snowfall in 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service . Half the city did not have power, and crews worked day and night to restore it. The other half of town was just stuck.

So much snow had fallen that cars got buried under the snow. Even the Utah Highway Patrol was not spared from the effects of the snowstorm as they needed the help of good Samaritans to push their cars out of the snow.

The University of Utah shut down so some folks took advantage of the University Golf Course. By the end of the next day, the record for total snowfall for October was set. That record was broken about a decade later.

After the snow passed, there was a massive mess to clean up. The most notable portion of the cleanup was that of a 56-car pileup.

While snow in October isn’t uncommon for parts of the Salt Lake Valley, this was a different kind of snowstorm — it’s something Salt Lakers have seen only a few times.

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