White is the forecast for New Year's Day in Salt Lake City

New Year's Eve this year in Salt Lake City could be a rare event indeed. There's a "blue moon" (a second full moon in the same month by the modern definition of the term). And, it could also snow Friday evening to close out the old year and welcome the new.

Commuters driving to work today should be careful. With temperatures in the 10- to 15-degree range, roads are likely to be slick or icy, making it difficult to stop.

According to long-term weather records at the Salt Lake Airport, there's about a one in four chance of snow falling on a New Year's Eve, increasing to a 50 percent chance by early Friday morning. Even more rare is a heavy snowfall on a New Year's Eve. On Dec. 31, 1937, Salt Lake City got hit with 4.6 inches — and that's the most recent significant snowfall on a New Year's Eve.

The Salt Lake Office of the National Weather Service predicts "snow likely," a 60 percent chance of the white stuff in Salt Lake City and an overnight low of 23 degrees on Dec. 31, following a daytime high of 32.

In contrast, KSL's weather team predicts cloudy skies, but no significant chance of snow New Year's Eve.

UDOT is also advising motorists to travel with extra caution on New Year's Eve because of the predicted snowstorm. Cold pavement and ground temperatures, combined with wet, heavy snow are expected to cause icy roads.

Motorists are asked to slow down and allow extra stopping distance as they travel to their New Year's Eve destinations.

As expected, the latest big winter storm hit the Wasatch Front, leaving two people dead and hundreds of car wrecks and multiple injuries.

In Salt Lake and Utah counties alone, UHP reported 123 property-damage accidents, 16 injuries and multiple slide-offs from midnight to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

In Salt Lake County, troopers were reporting a better start than Tuesday's messy day. Nearly 200 accidents were reported on Utah's freeways between midnight and 8 p.m. Tuesday, with many more slide-offs. One woman was killed and 38 others injured in accidents.

The Cottonwood canyons were restricted to 4x4 vehicles or chains-only early in the day.

Drivers throughout the state were urged to use caution and to expect winter driving conditions for most of the day, but today drivers can expect a clear morning commute.

The Weather Service and KSL both agree on a good chance of rain and snow on New Year's Day, with a daytime high in the upper 30s.