A cold front pushing through Utah could bring severe weather to some parts of the state Tuesday evening.
Just before 8 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for the towns of Castle Dale, Ferron and Clawson in Emery County. According to the statement, that east-central region of the state could experience 30 mph winds, penny-size hail and frequent lightning.
A flash flood warning was in effect for south-central Wayne County until 6:15 p.m., particularly in Capitol Reef National Park, which is in the midst of its busiest season.
As of about 3 p.m., between a half-inch and an inch of rain had fallen at the park, the weather service said. Heavy rain and thunderstorms could cause “life-threatening” flooding in creeks and streams and on highways. Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge roads were closed Tuesday afternoon until further notice, park officials tweeted.
The weather service urged people to remain alert, even in areas that have not received rain, because distant rainfall can still cause dry washes, streams and rivers to flood in a matter of minutes.
The storm system also will likely bring high winds to certain parts of northern Utah County. A wind advisory is in effect for cities in Utah County north of Provo, where winds could reach up to 45 mph and cause choppy conditions on Utah Lake.
Winds could blow around unsecured objects, reduce driving visibility and create hazardous crosswinds for high-profile vehicles.
The Wasatch Front could get some rain due to a “narrow band of showers” ranging from Salt Lake City to Nephi and extending across the state Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, the weather service advised.
As the cold front crosses the state late Tuesday, light snow is possible above 9,000 feet across the northern and central mountains, including the Uintas, into Wednesday morning.
Frost is possible in the Cache, Rush and Sanpete valleys, but only “outlying” areas of the Wasatch Front (near Utah Lake and Tremonton) will see it. Hard freeze conditions are possible in Cache Valley, along the Wasatch Back, Bear River Valley, Sanpete Valley and near Panguitch.
Highs will be back in the low 70s in Salt Lake City by Friday and Saturday.
