High Wind — Western Canyonlands, Utah

2024-03-02 to 2024-03-03 · Western Canyonlands, Utah

Event narrative

The Hans Flat COOP Observer reported wind gusts with a peak gust of 66 mph, as well as downed trees in the area (and graupel from storms associated with the cold front). Two other automated mesonet stations within the forecast zone recorded strong gusts in excess of 50 mph.

Wider weather episode

A strong system approached the region for the start of March, with very anomalously strong low level flow noted ahead of a cold frontal boundary. This strong low level flow resulted in a prolonged period of strong sustained and gusty winds across almost the entirety of Utah. As the cold front moved into northern Utah, some areas experienced convective precipitation and associated strong wind gusts. Winds began to subside following the passage of the cold front, but the colder air allowed for precipitation to transition to snow, yielding accumulating snow across much of the area. Mountain locations which remained sufficiently cold throughout the event received fairly substantial snow accumulations in addition to the prolonged strong winds.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1156798. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.