High winds causing delays, closures across Utah
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Hazardous winds are plaguing the state of Utah Saturday, causing UDOT officials to issue multiple warnings, ski resorts to shut down lifts, and a Real Salt Lake match to be delayed.
Hazardous wind gusts in excess of 65 mph are hitting across Utah today. While they are expected to decrease with the passage of a cold front this weekend, the wind is causing delays and road concerns.
UDOT recommends to avoid driving up Little Cottonwood canyon Saturday.
“RoadUpdate 👋 #SR210: The front has hit. Expect thunder snow, low visibility, winds, snow and hail. Avoid driving up,” UDOT officials said. “If you have to drive to/from @AltaAlerts @AltaCentral @SnowbirdAlerts, you need to be able to handle these conditions.”
Traction devices are required for driving in the canyon.
“The storm is here and we are ready. Our crews are out pre-treating Bangerter Highway now,” UDOT officials said.
The Utah Dept. of Transportation has prohibited high profile vehicles from traveling on Eastbound I-80 from milepost 99-0, or Lake Point to Wendover in Tooele County.
Strong winter storm moving through this weekend
Saturday’s Real Salt Lake match against Los Angeles FC has also been delayed — kickoff now scheduled for 3:05 p.m. Ticket gates were also delayed from opening due to the wind, but have since opened.
“UPDATE: We’re nearing the closing of the 30 min window where lightning has ‘passed,'” a post states on social media.
Real Salt Lake officials said they’re offering one free popcorn per family at Sandy Sandwich Co., City Grill, Royal Feast, and Royal Feast Express until 12:30 p.m. as a way to say thank you for your patience.
Utah Tech University‘s Women’s Tennis match scheduled for Saturday has also been cancelled.
Brighton Resort has also closed multiple lifts due to the high winds, with Great Western Express, Snake Creek, and Milly Express shut down for the time being. Night riding has also been canceled for tonight due to the heavy winds and storm conditions.
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Snowbird Resort has also reported that all lifts are currently on hold due to the winds. The winds are expected to persist with heavy snowfall arriving in the afternoon.
Deer Valley Resort has also reported that only seven of 21 chairlifts are open at this time. “Our teams is closely monitoring conditions and will open chairlifts on a case-by-case basis as we are able,” resort officials stated.
As of 2:18 p.m., all Solitude lifts are currently on a lightning hold, resort officials said.
Salt Lake City Council has declared a Code Blue in Salt Lake County for Saturday, Mar. 2. Code Blue Alerts were approved as state law that became effective in 2023. These alerts are issued when temperatures in specific areas are expected to drop to 15 degrees, including wind chill, for two hours or more during a 24-hour period.
“The alert allows shelters to relax and expand to give officials some flexibility to identify new locations to shield people who are experiencing homelessness from the cold,” the Utah Dept. of Health and Human Services website states.
More details on Salt Lake County’s Code Blue are available here.
This post will be updated as new information becomes available.
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