Severe weather & windstorms
Utah's worst windstorms roar down the canyons with little warning. Tying down what can fly and knowing where to shelter keeps most people safe.
Severe weather in Utah means canyon windstorms along the Wasatch Front, summer lightning in the mountains, sudden dust storms on the interstates, hail, and the occasional tornado. The September 2020 windstorm left about 200,000 Rocky Mountain Power customers without power at its peak. Rocky Mountain Power (opens source in a new tab)
Why it matters in Utah
- The September 8, 2020 windstorm hit 373,674 Rocky Mountain Power customers, with 203,930 out at the peak; 9,442 were without power for more than four days. Gusts reached 99 mph in Farmington. Rocky Mountain Power (opens source in a new tab)
- That storm overturned 45 semi trucks, and Salt Lake City alone lost more than 1,500 public trees. NPR (opens source in a new tab) Salt Lake City (opens source in a new tab)
- East winds pour out of the canyons onto Davis, Weber, and Box Elder counties. A 1999 storm brought a 113 mph gust at Brigham City and blew 20 semis over on I-15. NWS (opens source in a new tab)
- Utah averages about two tornadoes a year. The August 11, 1999 Salt Lake City tornado killed one person, injured more than 80, and caused more than $170 million in damage. NWS (opens source in a new tab)
- Utah has had 23 lightning deaths in 30 years, a larger share of U.S. deaths than its share of the population; both 2026 deaths were hikers on Wasatch peaks. KPCW (opens source in a new tab) NWS (opens source in a new tab)
- Dust can blind drivers in seconds: a 2021 dust storm on I-15 near Kanosh caused a 22-vehicle pileup that killed eight people. KSL (opens source in a new tab)
Who's most affected
- Hikers and climbers on peaks and ridges during summer afternoon thunderstorms. NWS (opens source in a new tab) NPS (opens source in a new tab)
- People in mobile and manufactured homes, which aren't safe in high winds or tornadoes. NWS (opens source in a new tab) NOAA SPC (opens source in a new tab)
- Drivers on open highways, especially high-profile trucks in wind and anyone caught in blowing dust. NPR (opens source in a new tab) KSL (opens source in a new tab)
- Anyone who relies on power for medical equipment, since windstorms can cause long outages. Rocky Mountain Power (opens source in a new tab)
What to do
1 Before
- A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible. A warning means one has been seen or shown on radar: take shelter now. NWS (opens source in a new tab)
- When high winds are forecast, tie down or bring in outdoor furniture, decorations, and trampolines. Wind can throw even anchored trampolines. NWS (opens source in a new tab) AP (opens source in a new tab)
- Trim branches away from your house, but never prune near power lines; Rocky Mountain Power will send an arborist for free. NWS (opens source in a new tab) Rocky Mountain Power (opens source in a new tab)
- Pick your tornado shelter: an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows. NWS (opens source in a new tab)
- A NOAA Weather Radio with an alert setting sounds for warnings, even overnight. NWS (opens source in a new tab)
- If you rely on powered medical equipment, plan for a multi-day outage and register with Rocky Mountain Power's medical program. Rocky Mountain Power (opens source in a new tab) Rocky Mountain Power (opens source in a new tab)
- In summer, hike early: monsoon thunderstorms often build in the afternoon. NPS (opens source in a new tab) NPS (opens source in a new tab)
2 During
- When thunder roars, go indoors, and stay inside 30 minutes after the last thunder. NWS (opens source in a new tab) NWS (opens source in a new tab)
- Safe shelter is a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle. Get off peaks and ridges, and never shelter under a lone tree or rock overhang. NWS (opens source in a new tab)
- Small huts aren't safe shelter: in 2026, a hiker died while sheltering in the small metal hut on the summit of Mount Timpanogos. TownLift (opens source in a new tab)
- High wind: get inside a sturdy building, away from windows. If you're in a mobile home, move to a sturdy building before the wind picks up. NWS (opens source in a new tab)
- Tornado: go to your shelter room now. In a mobile home, get out and go to a sturdy building. NWS (opens source in a new tab) NOAA SPC (opens source in a new tab)
- Dust storm while driving: don't drive into it. Pull all the way off the road, turn off all your lights, set the parking brake, and take your foot off the brake. NWS (opens source in a new tab)
- Hail: stay inside and away from windows. In a car, stay inside until it stops. NWS (opens source in a new tab)
3 After
- Assume every downed line is live: stay at least 35 feet away, call 911, then call Rocky Mountain Power. Rocky Mountain Power (opens source in a new tab)
- Report outages to Rocky Mountain Power at 1-877-508-5088, by texting OUT to 759677, or on the outage map. Rocky Mountain Power (opens source in a new tab)
- Run generators outside, at least 20 feet from your home. Rocky Mountain Power (opens source in a new tab) CDC (opens source in a new tab)
- Photograph damage, keep receipts, and hold off on permanent repairs until your insurer inspects. Most homeowners policies cover wind damage and trees that fall on the house, but not removing trees that hit nothing. Utah Insurance Department (opens source in a new tab)
- Cutting up fallen trees? Fuel the chainsaw at least 10 feet from flames or sparks, watch for kickback, don't cut overhead, and never work alone. OSHA (opens source in a new tab)