High Wind — Salt Lake Valley, Utah

2024-03-01 to 2024-03-02 · Salt Lake Valley, Utah

Event narrative

The Marina mesonet site measured the first wind gust exceeding high wind criteria, with an initial high wind gust of 59 mph observed 3/1 at 8:25 pm MST. The Marina mesonet site also measured the last wind gust exceeding high wind criteria, with a final high wind gust of 59 mph observed 3/2 at 12:20 pm MST. The Marina mesonet site also measured the zone's peak wind gust during the event, with a gust of 90 mph observed 3/2 at 10:40 am MST. The Salt Lake City International Airport ASOS (KSLC) also observed wind gusts exceeding high wind criteria through the event, with a peak gust of 64 mph observed 3/2 at 10:55 am MST. Some additional selected observed gusts at mesonet sites in the zone through the event time included 73 mph at Beach, 64 mph at I-80 At MP 107, 62 mph at SR-85 at Dannon Way, and 59 mph at SR-85 at SR-201. Many sites recorded multiple wind gusts in excess of 58 mph throughout the event. Aside from observed wind gusts, the strong winds resulted in reports of damage including several instances of snapped or uprooted trees, and at least one instance of a partial roof removal from an area church. Other than the damage, the event also resulted in widespread blowing dust and visibility below 1 SM prior to frontal passage, as well as piling tumbleweeds several feet high in some area neighborhoods (requiring subsequent cleanup efforts).

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 1157970. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.