Thunderstorm Wind in Uintah County, Utah

Showers and thunderstorms formed over the higher terrain of northeastern Utah on the afternoon of August 7. As these storms developed, there were enhanced by some upper level support in the form of a passing wave and an upper level jet. This allowed the storms to grow strong enough to potentially produce severe threats, such as wind in excess of 58 mph and hail in excess of 1 inch. Additionally, dry surface layers would enhance already potentially strong outflow winds. All this combined to produce a 90 mph gust at the Winter Ridge RAWS, located in the Utah Tavaputs Plateau. No reports of damage or injuries were received.

Just enough moisture and instability lingered across the higher terrain of eastern Utah and western Colorado to form showers and thunderstorms. The most intense convection was observed across northeast Utah and northwest Colorado, where a passing weak shortwave and a modest upper level jet provided additional lift and instability. The probability of strong winds was also enhanced by dry surface levels.