High Wind — Bryce Canyon Country, Utah

2024-03-02 · Bryce Canyon Country, Utah

Event narrative

The Bryce Canyon Airport ASOS measured the first wind gust exceeding high wind criteria, with an initial high wind gust of 59 mph observed 3/2 at 12:05 am MST. 59 mph also serves as the peak gust of the zone through the duration of the event. The ASOS also measured the last wind gust exceeding high wind criteria, with a final high wind gust of 58 mph observed 3/2 at 9:28 pm MST. Other wind gusts at or in excess of 58 mph also occurred throughout the event. Of note, there are very limited observing stations within this zone.

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 1157003. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.