Statewide, weather forecasters are warning of strong winds that are expected to precede a heavy rain storm Thursday.
Most of the western third of Utah — including the Salt Lake and Tooele Valleys — was under a high wind warning beginning Thursday morning, with gusts approaching 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Winds were expected to blow between 35 to 45 mph, and crosswinds were expected to affect travel in east-west oriented routes, including Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 6. The Weather Service warned that high profile and lightweight vehicles would be most susceptible to the strong winds and that blowing dust could reduce visibility.
Sustained winds of 40 mph and gusts of 58 mph can lead to property damage, the Weather Service said. Motorists were urged to “take extra caution, especially while crossing bridges, overpasses and unsheltered areas.”
Additionally, the Utah Department of Transportation warned that heavy rainfall could leave standing water, which could also be dangerous to drivers.
The rest of the state was under a hazardous weather outlook, which warned of “very strong” winds and gusts approaching 60 mph, beginning late Thursday morning and continuing through the first half of the evening.
Light scattered showers across northern Utah are expected to expand across the north during the day, with most of the precipitation concentrated on areas with higher terrain. Valley rain and mountain snow will likely increase as a cold front moves east across the area tonight, the Weather Service says.
Rivers across the state will rise, but flooding is not expected on the banks. However, flash flood prone areas in southern Utah may see some, the Weather Service said.
Slot canyons, normally dry washes and streams may be running high in southern Utah, according to the Weather Service. The area will see light rain later in the morning, which will become more widespread and heavier overnight.
Precipitation will continue as the cold front continues to move in Friday, the Weather Service says. The “main” storm coming from the Pacific Northwest coast will approach the state during the weekend in the north.
Conditions for avalanches Thursday were low near Logan; moderate near the Uintas, Moab and Abajo; and considerable near Ogden, Salt Lake, Provo and Skyline, according to the Utah Avalanche Center. Air quality was good statewide, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality said.
For more detailed weather information, check out The Salt Lake Tribune’s weather page at www.sltrib.com/weather.
