SANTAQUIN, Utah (KUTV) — As the onset of the winter storm impacts the state, UDOT is urging caution on the roads following a crash involving one of its snowplows Tuesday morning.

The sudden change in weather conditions, especially in southern Utah State, surprised some drivers with the onset of snowfall.

Vonna Johnson, who drove to work from Genola to Santaquin early Tuesday morning, described the conditions as snow fell.

MORE:Today’s rain and snow will give way to seasonal freezing for the first time in many regions tonight

“You could feel it pulling your car,” he said.

He said owning a Jeep helped, but the sudden change in weather conditions was still surprising.

“We never know. “One day we will experience spring, the next day we will experience autumn, and who knows, maybe tomorrow we will experience summer,” he said.

UDOT spokesman Wyatt Wooley explained that crews were out in full force, especially in the mountain passes where one of the snowplows made a close call on US-6.

“One of the guys passing by (the snowplow) noticed there was a lot of snow and stuff in front of him and he immediately slowed down, with our plow right behind him, unable to slow him down. And so he broke his wing,” Wooley said.

Fortunately, both drivers escaped unhurt and damage was minimal.

Wooley emphasized that drivers should never pass by snow removal vehicles and said, “It can be very dangerous.”

He urged drivers to slow down, stay alert and be more careful around plows.

As temperatures drop, UDOT crews are closely monitoring road conditions that could become slippery overnight.

Drivers are reminded to drive according to conditions, reduce their speed on wet roads and be careful about changing weather conditions.

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