High Wind Warning Issued for Great Salt Lake Desert and Tooele Valley Through Tuesday Morning
NWS Salt Lake City warns of winds up to 40 mph and gusts reaching 70 mph in the Great Salt Lake Desert and surrounding valleys through 5 a.m. Tuesday.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a High Wind Warning for the Great Salt Lake Desert and Mountains, as well as the Tooele and Rush Valleys. The alert is effective immediately and remains in place until 5:00 AM MST on Tuesday, February 17.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the Great Salt Lake Desert and Mountains and the Tooele and Rush Valleys. Forecasters highlight a specific threat of localized downslope winds along portions of I-80 north of the Oquirrh, Stansbury, and Cedar Mountains.
What You Should Do
Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. Drivers should exercise extra caution, particularly those operating high-profile vehicles or towing trailers, as these conditions can make travel difficult.
Expected Conditions
Sustained south winds are expected to range between 30 and 40 mph, with frequent gusts up to 60 mph. In specific areas along I-80, localized downslope winds may exceed 70 mph. These conditions are capable of moving loose debris, damaging property, and causing power outages.
Timeline
The High Wind Warning is active through 5:00 AM MST Tuesday. According to the National Weather Service, the strongest winds are anticipated to occur late Monday evening through early Tuesday morning following the passage of a cold front.
Source: NOAA Official Notice