High Wind in Tooele and Rush Valleys, Utah

The I-80 at MP 81 Dolomite mesonet site measured the first wind gust exceeding high wind criteria, with an initial high wind gust of 58 mph observed 5/4 at 9:20 pm MST. The VERNON HILL mesonet site measured the last wind gust exceeding high wind criteria, with a final high wind gust of 67 mph observed 5/5 at 8:00 am MST. The SR-201 at I-80 mesonet site measured the zone's peak wind gust during the event, with a gust of 85 mph observed 5/4 at 11:40 pm MST. Finally, some additional selected observed gusts at mesonet sites in the zone through the event included 72 mph at both SR-36 at MP 49 Stockton Bar and I-80 at MP 81 Dolomite, 62 mph at Grantsville South, and 58 mph at I-80 At MP 79 Timpie. Many sites recorded multiple wind gusts in excess of 58 mph throughout the event.

A cold season type of trough and associated surface features moved through Utah in early May. Ahead of the system, strong synoptic wind gusts occurred throughout portions of the state. While wind gusts decreased following a cold frontal passage, precipitation increased. Periods of post-frontal precipitation then continued in the unsettled northwesterly flow as the trough shifted through the region. Given anomalously cold air associated with the trough, some area mountains received Winter Storm levels of snow, and sub-warning snow amounts were even observed in some lower elevation valley locations. Following the systems departure, a fatal avalanche occurred involving multiple backcountry skiers.