Power outages reported, I-80 reopens to semis as strong winds move into Utah

Oct 25, 2021, 9:36 AM | Updated: 2:10 pm

(Derek Petersen/KSL TV)

KSLTV.com

SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of Utahns were without power Monday morning after high winds moved into the state ahead of stormy weather, and the Utah Department of Transportation temporarily closed Interstate 80 to high-profile vehicles.

A high wind warning is in effect for western Millard and Juab counties, Tooele and Rush valleys, Great Salt Lake desert and mountains and southwest Utah through Monday night. Gusts of up to 70 mph are expected in these areas.

A gust of 68 mph was reported before 6 a.m. near the Great Salt Lake Marina, and stronger crosswinds like this will become more common Monday morning west of Salt Lake City.

UDOT closed I-80 to high-profile vehicles from the Utah-Nevada border to Lakepoint, near milepost 84, due to strong winds. Several semi-trucks were blown over across the West Desert, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.

Troopers also temporarily closed westbound I-80 to all traffic at milepost 79 due to a crash around 11 a.m.

Another semi over this one at the mile post 81 Eastbound #KSLTV pic.twitter.com/xe5SCrkQmq

— Derek Petersen (@Derek_Photog) October 25, 2021

Both lanes reopened Monday afternoon, and troopers lifted all restrictions on high-profile vehicles at 2 p.m.

City officials in Tooele announced trash collection will be postponed by one day this week.

Gusts could reach 55 mph along the northern Wasatch Front, which is under a wind advisory through 9 p.m. Monday.

Along with strong winds, mountain roads above 7,000′ could see heavy snow Monday night through Tuesday morning.

Road Weather Alert: Strong Winds will continue through 6 PM today ahead of a robust cold front. 8PM MON through 12 PM TUE expect snow to impact corridors through the mountains. For more info: https://t.co/x9kXnKavFY #utwind #utwx @UtahTrucking pic.twitter.com/7ehiNPu4yJ

— UDOT Traffic (@UDOTTRAFFIC) October 25, 2021

Precipitation is expected to move into the state Monday afternoon, with heavier rain and snow falling after 7 p.m.

Over 145 power outages were reported as of 11 a.m. Monday, affecting around 2,300 Rocky Mountain Power customers. The biggest outages were reported in Tooele and along the Salt Lake Valley’s east bench.