Pollution advisories issued due to high winds stirring dust, salt


12 photos
Save Story

Show 3 more videos

Leer en español

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — High winds carried dust from a dry lake in Millard County to the Wasatch Front, where multiple counties had pollution warnings in effect due to the dust storms.

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City said much of the dust along the Wasatch Front was the result of winds whipping up dust from the dry Sevier Lake.

In Tooele County, the weather service warned travelers of decreasing visibility due to high winds creating dust and salt storms.

The Utah Department of Transportation closed I-80 between Wendover and eastern Tooele County to all high-profile vehicles late Monday morning.

Antelope Island had wind gusts of 56 mph, while state Route 201 at its nexus with I-80 clocked winds at 64 mph, according to the weather service.

Wind gusts hit 84 mph at the western slope of the Uintas and even at Salt Lake Airport No. 2, gusts were measured at 63 mph.

The dust storms led to elevated readings at state Division of Air Quality pollution monitors in multiple areas along the Wasatch Front, including Davis, Weber and Salt Lake counties.

Tooele County reported a spike due to the storm. Both Iron and Washington counties also noted spikes in monitor readings.

#nws_tweet2

#nws_tweet

High winds also led to the cancellation of open house tours at the Jordan River Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Monday. The winds were impacting tents set up outside the temple. The open house runs through April 28, except for Sundays.

The Dragon Lights festival at the Utah State Fairpark was also shut down Monday because of the winds. Organizers said tickets purchased for Monday can be redeemed on any other night. Dragon Lights runs through May 6.

Photos

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah
Amy Joi O'Donoghue
Amy Joi O’Donoghue is a reporter for the Utah InDepth team at the Deseret News with decades of expertise in land and environmental issues.

STAY IN THE KNOW

Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

KSL Weather Forecast