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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation and National Weather Service have issued alerts for up to 70 mile per hour winds along the northern Wasatch Front through Tuesday morning.
Gusty east winds are expected to develop Monday evening, before strengthening to downslope winds after midnight and peaking between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Downslope winds — otherwise known as canyon winds — are created when cold, dense air is pushed along canyon slopes and creates accelerating gusts at the bottom, opposite side of the slope.
Gusts of 40-50 mph winds are expected along the Wasatch Front east of I-15 between Brigham City and Ogden, and from Layton to Salt Lake City near the mouth of Parleys Canyon, the Utah Department of Transportation alert states.
I-80 will experience weather delays at the mouth of Parleys Canyon, as will I-84, from the I-15 junction to the mouth of Weber Canyon.
Tractions laws were placed in effect for Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon, UDOT announced on Twitter on Monday. Drivers are urged to use caution and to make sure their vehicles are prepared for winter driving conditions.
Utah Highway Patrol reported that officers responded to 30 crashes statewide during Monday's brief afternoon snowstorm.
A High Wind Warning is now in effect for Davis and Weber counties from 2 AM overnight through 12 PM Tuesday.
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) January 18, 2021
Winds will increase tonight, especially after 2 AM with strongest gusts in downslope-prone areas from 5-10 AM Tuesday morning.#utwxpic.twitter.com/k5tCb6cgi8
The National Weather Service also projects strong crosswinds along I-15 in Davis, Weber, and northern Salt Lake counties, affecting U.S. Highway 89 from Brigham City to Bountiful and Legacy Parkway.
Farmington and Centerville are likely to receive peak winds between 50-65 mph, the highest winds of any area included in the alert.
Although winds of this speed are capable of minor damages, this storm will not be to the scale and magnitude of the September 2020 windstorm.
The National Weather Service recommends securing loose outdoor objects, such as decorations and trampolines, to avoid property damage.
Here is a map of expected maximum gusts Tuesday morning.
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) January 18, 2021
Strongest gusts up to 65 mph in the most downslope-prone areas of Davis and Weber counties.
Again, downslope winds will not be as strong or as widespread as last September event. #utwxpic.twitter.com/j4LWMUbA9u
Southeastern Utah is also included in the Utah Department of Transportation's weather advisory for periods of road snow between 3 a.m. and noon Tuesday.
Snow is expected on U.S. Highway 191, from the state Route 46 junction to just north of Bluff, with Monticello receiving the highest amount of snow. All of U.S. Highway 491 will be impacted.
Motorists are encouraged to use caution, and if utilizing canyons or mountain roads, should be prepared for chain restrictions at any period during the snow events, UDOT stated.
