A grazing shortwave trough north of Utah sent a cold front into the region. Ahead of and along this boundary there was enough moisture to result in isolated to scattered convective development, with much of this activity higher based in nature.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS SLC wrote it up.
A grazing shortwave trough north of Utah sent a cold front into the region. Ahead of and along this boundary there was enough moisture to result in isolated to scattered convective development, with much of this activity higher based in nature. As a result, numerous strong to severe wind gusts were recorded or reported. Additionally, a period of strong winds downsloping off of terrain was noted in portions of northwest Utah following the passage of the frontal boundary.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Salt Lake City, UT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 13, 11:19 AM MST, 1 hour 1 minute earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1219 PM MDT Wed May 13 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A slight risk (Level 2 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms is in
place across portions of northern Utah and Uinta County, WY this
afternoon and early this evening. There is a ~20% chance of
wind gusts in excess of 58 mph in this area within 25 miles of a
point and a ~10% chance of wind gust in excess of 65 mph within
25 miles of a point between noon and 7 PM today.
- Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for portions of southwestern
Utah this afternoon and evening due to gusty winds and very low
relative humidity.
- Strong wind gusts up to 60 mph will occur in the wake of a cold
front across northwestern Utah near the Raft River Mountains and
along I-80 from Wendover to Knolls from 6 PM until about 3 AM. A
High Wind Warning is now in effect.
- Critical fire weather conditions may return to southwest Utah
Saturday as gusty southerly winds will combine with low
humidities in this area once again.
&&
.DISCUSSION...Early this afternoon, weak radar returns can be
seen across portions of the state ahead of a subtle shortwave
trough. This trough is drawing in mid-level moisture from the
southwest which will interact with a separate grazing shortwave
trough crossing the Interior Northwest, resulting in the
heightened threat of severe thunderstorms this afternoon here in
Utah. This severe threat is coupled with critical fire weather
conditions developing this afternoon across southwestern Utah
given increased southwesterly flow ahead of this northern
shortwave trough and very low relative humidity (see Fire Weather
section for more details).
While the ongoing showers are fairly weak, the real threat of dry
microbursts and gusty outflow winds will start to ramp up after
noon, with the main threat likely ending by 6-7PM or so. Model
soundings suggest an inverted-V, characterized by dry air and
steep lapse rates in the low levels and mid-level moisture.
Instability is fairly limited, though still may approach up to 500
J/kg of MUCAPE in some areas, suggesting fairly shallow convection.
While the best chances for severe gusts are across northern Utah
and southwest Wyoming, there is still a sizable chance down to
I-70 in eastern Utah, with even a couple severe gusts possible
down to Lake Powell. Thunderstorms may be capable of producing
very strong winds of 50-65 mph and even up to 65-75 mph on the
higher end.
A cold front associated with the northern shortwave trough will
push through the state this evening and overnight, weakening as it
does so. Strong northwesterly winds will develop over portions of
northwest Utah in particular given an initially strong pressure
gradient, with prone areas expected to reach 60 mph...namely areas
downwind of the Raft River Mountains like Park Valley and
Rosette, and areas near Wendover. Temperatures will also cool
behind this front, with high temperatures dropping by 15 degrees
across northern Utah and 5-10 degrees across southern Utah between
today and Thursday.
Behind this system, zonal flow will develop across the area, with
largely dry, quiescent conditions expected Thursday and Friday.
Another storm system is likely to move through this weekend,
likely late Saturday into Sunday, which will bring cooler and
wetter conditions once again. While there is still plenty of
uncertainty regarding this system, models are generally in favor
of a pretty stout cold front, with chances for showers and
thunderstorms potentially both Saturday and Sunday, as well as
freezing temperatures for some valleys by Monday morning.
&&
.AVIATION...KSLC...Southerly winds will remain gusty through the
early afternoon. Scattered high- based thunderstorms are expected to
develop after 19Z and continue through 00-01Z this evening. Strong
microburst winds will occur with these high-based thunderstorms.
There is a 20% chance of wind gusts in excess of 58 mph will occur
within 25 miles of the terminal and a 10% chance wind gusts will
exceed 65 mph with 25 miles of the terminal between 21-00Z today.
Small hail will also occur with strong thunderstorms. Postfrontal
north winds are expected to arrive at the terminal between 03-04z,
with a 25% probability of gusts exceeding 45 mph. Winds will likely
remain north through the TAF period, with a 20% chance of a brief
southerly window around 12z.
.REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Southerly winds will
persist across most terminals this afternoon, with gusts up to 40
mph from gradient winds. High-based showers and thunderstorms will
develop across the northern half of Utah after 19Z. There is a 20%
chance of wind gusts in excess of 58 mph will occur within 25 miles
terminals from roughly Utah County north and a 10% chance wind gusts
will exceed 65 mph with 25 miles of terminals from Utah County north
between 21-00Z today. A strong but dry cold front will bring a
marked wind shift to the northwest for KENV between 01-03Z, with
winds shifting across the remainder of northern Utah terminals after
03Z.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...Breezy southwesterly winds will be in place across
the state this afternoon as a storm system approaches from the
northwest. Gusts outside of any thunderstorms may reach up to 40
mph this evening, particularly across southwestern Utah where Red
Flag Warnings are in place for fire weather zones 495, 496, and
497. Minimum humidities this afternoon will be in the single
digits, producing critical fire weather conditions. Across
primarily northern and eastern Utah, high-based showers and
thunderstorms will be capable of producing very strong outflow
winds, with a 15-20% chance of wind gusts exceeding 58 mph
primarily Utah county northward.
A dry cold front will push into northwestern Utah this evening,
gradually weakening and shifting across the state. Strong
northwest winds up to 60 mph will occur behind this front across
portions of northwest Utah, with gusts up to 40-50 mph possible
across the rest of northern Utah.
Temperatures will be cooler and conditions will be much quieter
tomorrow and Friday. Another storm system is expected to track
across the area late Saturday into Sunday, with another chance for
critical fire weather conditions. However, chances for actual
precipitation and not just virga are higher with this system,
particularly on Sunday as a cold front moves through the region.
&&
.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...High Wind Warning from 6 PM this evening to 3 AM MDT Thursday
for UTZ101.
Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for UTZ495>497.
WY...None.
&&
Cunningham/Verzella
For more information from NOAA's National Weather Service visit...
http://weather.gov/saltlakecitySpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
107 PM MDT Wed May 13 2026
UTZ101-105-110-131945-
Salt Lake Valley UT-Wasatch Mountains I-80 North UT-
Great Salt Lake Desert and Mountains UT-
107 PM MDT Wed May 13 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Salt Lake
and eastern Tooele Counties through 145 PM MDT
...
At 106 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking an elevated thunderstorm
near Oquirrh, capable of producing gusty and erratic outflow winds,
moving northeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Murray, West Jordan, Taylorsville,
South Jordan, Riverton, Midvale, South Salt Lake, Herriman,
Bluffdale, Millcreek, Kearns, Salt Lake City International Airport,
Magna, Bingham Canyon Mine, Oquirrh, Canyon Rim, East Millcreek, and
Cottonwood West.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 15 between mile markers 297 and 311.
Interstate 80 in Utah between mile markers 106 and 127.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4078 11176 4047 11202 4057 11221 4058 11222
4084 11215
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 209DEG 7KT 4060 11208
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BWThe Salt Lake City radar (KMTX), 76 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:20 UTC.
66 thunderstorm wind, 1 dust storm, 1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The I-15/2400 S Spaghetti mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 59 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The South Valley Regional Airport AWOS (KSVR) station recorded a wind gust of 59 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Eagle Range AWOS (KU16) recorded a wind gust of 59 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The I-80 at MP 68 West Delle mesonet station recorded an initial peak wind gust of 73 mph, soon followed by a wind gust of 65 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The I-80 at MP 40 Knolls mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 67 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Gunnison Island mesonet station recorded a period of severe wind gusts with a peak recorded gust of 66 mph. This was the result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Hat Island mesonet station recorded an initial gust of 61 mph, followed by a peak gust of 70 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The ROSEBUD mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 61 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The MARSH mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 59 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Pioneer Crossing mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 61 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The CW9635 mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 66 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Flight Park South mesonet station recorded an initial peak gust of 69 mph, followed by a gust of 65 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Fremont Island - Miller Hill mesonet station recorded a period of severe wind gusts with a peak recorded gust of 77 mph. This was the result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Tintic mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 61 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Point of the Mountain mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 60 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The DW9435 Draper mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 63 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Bull Claim Hill mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 58 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
Broadcast media report showing multiple trees and power lines down as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
Public photo of large tree split and downed along the 9 Line Trail on 900 S near 300 E. This was the result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The ALTA - GUARD HOUSE mesonet station recorded a peak wind gust of 66 mph, followed by a wind gust of 58 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The SR-30 @ Curlew mesonet station recorded an initial wind gust of 60 mph, soon followed by an additional wind gust of 60 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Kennecott Rd Lake Point mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 60 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Huntington SW mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 61 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The S-Turns - Big Cottonwood Canyon mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 60 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Parleys Canyon @ Quarry mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 62 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The I-215 at Olympus Cove mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 59 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Curlew Junction mesonet station recorded an initial wind gust of 60 mph, shortly followed by an additional wind gust of 60 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
Utah DOT reported that a semi truck was blown over on I-80 near mile post 77 along I-80, most likely as a result of outflow winds associated with an area of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Junction South mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 59 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The MWS UT 5 Big Mountain Pass mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 68 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The SR-201 at I-80 mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 65 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Chaulk Hill mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 58 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The I-15 @ Tremonton mesonet station recorded an initial wind gust of 60 mph, followed by a peak gust of 63 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The I-80 at MP 134 East Canyon mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 62 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The I-15 at MP 369 North Brigham City mesonet station recorded an initial peak wind gust of 67 mph, followed by a gust of 59 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The I-80 @ mp 78 mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 69 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The I-215 at I-80 mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 58 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Tollgate Canyon mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 64 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Murray's Hill mesonet station recorded an initial peak wind gust of 70 mph, followed by a gust of 66 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The The Elbow mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 59 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The SR-158 at MP 11.5 Powder Mountain mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 58 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The SR-30 mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 60 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
Emergency Manager reported a swath of tree damage and downed power lines approximately from the Logan Airport to Smithfield. The Logan airport had gusted to 75 mph around the estimated time this damage occurred.
Emergency manager reported a multi-vehicle crash due to the result of strong thunderstorm winds in the area.
The Logan-Cache Airport ASOS (KLGU) recorded an initial peak wind gust of 60 mph, followed by a peak gust of 75 mph, and a final severe gust of 59 mph. These gusts were the result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
Strong winds associated with thunderstorms in the areas resulted in periods of blowing dust and reduced visibility. Utah Highway Patrol reported that this dust storm led to a multi-vehicle traffic accident on U.S. Highway 91 in northern Cache County, which resulted in multiple serious injuries. A patrol sergeant reported that injuries included one critical injury, and six serious but non life-threatening injuries. The largest crash(es) were reported near mile marker 44. The incident resulted in the closure of the highway for four hours.
The Hansel Valley mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 59 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Crow Mountain mesonet station recorded a peak wind gust of 93 mph, followed by a wind gust of 88 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Logan Peak mesonet station recorded back to back wind gusts of 79 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area. A subsequent period of strong wind gusts in the 58 to 72 mph range were recorded over the following hour.
The SOUTH MOUNTAIN mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 76 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The US-91 at MP 39 Richmond mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 58 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Gunnison Ridge mesonet station recorded an initial peak wind gust of 73 mph, followed by an additional gust of 59 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The US-89 at USU mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 59 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The FW8325 Garden City mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 58 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Dry Ridge mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 61 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The East Bearlake mesonet station recorded a period of wind gusts in excess of 58 mph, with a peak wind gust of 79 mph recorded at 4:30 PM MST, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The CASRK2 mesonet station recorded a period of wind gusts of 59 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Paradise mesonet station recorded an initial wind gust of 58 mph, soon followed by a peak wind gust of 68 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Peter Sinks Rim mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 73 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The US-40 @ Starvation mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 66 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Grantsville South mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 58 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Gunnison Reservoir mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 68 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Horse Haven mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 70 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The SNOWBASIN mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 67 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Scipio Summit mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 60 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Fremont Island - Miller Hill mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 78 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
Numerous mesonet stations recorded at least one if not a period of downsloping postfrontal winds and gusts in excess of 58 mph, with a peak gust of 68 mph recorded at the I-80 @ mp 1 mesonet station. Other various mesonet stations that included sufficient wind gusts include INTERSTATE 80, WENDOVER PEAK, Wendover Port of Entry, I-80 @ mp 29, and SR-30 @ Curlew.
The Nephi West mesonet station recorded a period of wind gusts between 53 mph and 63 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Utah in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Utah, May 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1331838, 1331839, 1331840, 1331841, 1331842, 1331843, 1331874, 1331878, 1331882, 1331911, 1331912, 1331916, 1331917, 1331915, 1331920, 1331922, 1331925, 1331928, 1331930, 1331931, 1334674, 1337242, 1337243, 1337244, 1337245, 1337246, 1337257, 1337247, 1337248, 1337249, 1337250, 1337251, 1337252, 1337253, 1337254, 1337255, 1337256, 1337258, 1337259, 1337260, and more.