Update 6 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a “Wind Advisory” for Washington, Iron, and Beaver Counties from 5-8 p.m. Friday.
SOUTHERN UTAH — Power outages and business closures were reported in Cedar City Friday due to high winds. Earlier, the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued a “Wind Advisory” for the northern Utah valleys, west central Utah, and southwest Utah through Friday evening.
Cedar City Police Department employees reported that their power was spotty and causing telephone problems in mid-afternoon, Cedar City Police Sgt. Jimmy Roden said. Rocky Mountain Power spokesman David Eskelsen said 90 customers within the southeast section of Cedar City lost power for 38 minutes, due to heavy winds which caused a blown junction fuse.
“A blown junction fuse is much like a circuit break in your home,” Eskelsen said. “With the high wind, a tree or something can temporarily cause a spark. We send someone out to troubleshoot and get the problem fixed.”
Brian Head Resort also closed down its chair lifts for the day due to estimated 75 mph winds, Brian Head Resort Human Resources Manager Bruce Niedrauer said.
The wind advisory issued by the National Weather Service was for Southwest Utah, Utah’s Dixie and Zion National Park, Lake Powell, central and southern mountains, Cache Valley-Utah portion, northern Wasatch Front, Salt Lake and Tooele Valleys, southern Wasatch Front, Great Salt Lake desert and mountains, Wasatch mountain valleys, Interstate 80, western Uinta Mountains, Wasatch Plateau-Book Cliffs, western Uinta Basin-Castle Country, San Rafael Swell, Sanpete-Sevier Valleys, and west central Utah.
Southerly winds at 20-30 mph are expected to remain in effect through the early afternoon and diminish late afternoon Friday. Strong cross winds may impact high profile vehicles particularly east to west and along Interstate 80 from Wendover to Salt Lake City.
A wind advisory means that sustained wind speeds of at least 31 mph or gusts of 45 mph are expected. Motorists in the advisory area should be prepared for sudden gusty cross winds which can make driving difficult.
For more information visit the National Weather Service. For potential road travel impacts visit Utah Department of Transportation.
Related posts
- Wind Advisory forecasts 25-35 mph winds, 50 mph gusts
- Strong wind advisory: Washington, Iron, Kane counties, drivers cautioned
- Wind Advisory for much of Southern Utah
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