High Wind in Western Uinta Basin, Utah

The US-40 at Starvation sensor recorded a maximum wind gust of 59 mph, associated with downslope winds behind a cold front.

Additional mid-level moisture moved into Utah in mid-May, helping to initiate Utah's first severe thunderstorms of 2012. In the first few days of the event, these were largely high-based thunderstorms producing gusty winds. A Pacific storm system then moved into the area on May 18th, primarily producing widespread rain in northern Utah. However, this storm also created strong downslope winds in the Uinta Basin, and helped to initiate thunderstorms in southern Utah capable of producing large hail.