High winds hit Wasatch Front as storm moves in
Mar 2, 2024, 12:42 PM | Updated: 5:50 pm
Tumbleweeds surround an Eagle Mountain home on March 2, 2024. (Photo credit: Brennen Katsos)
(Photo credit: Brennen Katsos)
SALT LAKE CITY — High winds moved into the Wasatch Front Saturday afternoon, swamping homes with tumbleweeds and damaging a Salt Lake church’s roof.
High wind and winter storm warnings are in effect across Utah this weekend. Winds will continue to increase over western Utah valleys Saturday ahead of a front and spread into southern Utah, with some gusts over 65 mph expected. These will be the strongest winds of the season, according to the National Weather Service.
“Winds will remain strong tonight with gusts up to 50 and 60 mph from the southwest, keeping temperatures on the mild side,” said KSL meteorologist Devin Masciulli. “Expect rain first, then once the cold front passes, precipitation will quickly switch over to snow.”
Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued from Ogden to Logan, lasting through at least 1 p.m.
High winds, winter storm moving in; high-profile vehicles banned on I-80 due to wind gusts
Road impacts
The Utah Department of Transportation temporarily banned high-profile vehicles from driving on Interstate 80 due to high winds on Saturday.
The closure extends from Wendover at the Utah-Nevada state line to milepost 99, near Lakepoint in Tooele County. UDOT did not say when it expects to lift the ban.
The Utah Highway Patrol said the westbound Saltair I-80 onramp would be closed until approximately 2 p.m. due to a semitruck crash.
This semi-truck ended up on its side on I-80 closing the Saltair on-ramp Saturday. (Utah Highway Patrol)
Early Saturday evening, Taylorsville police closed Bangerter Highway near 6200 South. Police told KSL there was an incline at the overpass of 6200 South, With slush on the ground, vehicles were having a difficult time getting up it. So until plows can get there to clear the roads, police were making vehicles exit at Bangerter Highway and get back on the other side. n
Damaging winds
It seems like the more residents try to clear tumbleweeds, the more show up. The wind has not let up in hours. @southjordancity street workers are here with a backhoe doing their best as well. It's also starting to rain. @KSL5TV @kslweather #ksltv #utwx pic.twitter.com/bmd3m4J5kY
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) March 2, 2024
The roof of the Gospel Grace Church in Salt Lake City was damaged by winds while homes in South Jordan and Eagle Mountain were swamped by tumbleweeds.
Power outages were reported across northern Utah, impacting over 5,300 Rocky Mountain Power customers. The utility company said heavy snowfall and strong winds were causing widespread outages across its network and crews are working to restore service.
Roof blew off church at 1300 S and 700 E by Liberty Park. @KSL5TV @kslweather pic.twitter.com/08aXSdTSqY
— Get Gephardt (@KSLGephardt) March 2, 2024
