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. 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, several strong to severe wind gusts were recorded or reported.
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, 2 hours 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
BWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
126 PM MDT Wed May 13 2026
UTZ104-105-110-132000-
Salt Lake Valley UT-Northern Wasatch Front UT-Wasatch Mountains I-
80 North UT-
126 PM MDT Wed May 13 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Salt
Lake, southeastern Davis and southwestern Morgan Counties through 200
PM MDT
...
At 125 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking elevated thunderstorms
capable of producing gusty and erratic winds over Salt Lake City,
moving northeast at 15 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, Bountiful, Farmington, South Salt Lake, North Salt
Lake, Centerville, Woods Cross, West Bountiful, Salt Lake City
International Airport, Sugarhouse, University Of Utah, and Antelope
Island State Park.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 15 between mile markers 305 and 322.
Interstate 80 in Utah between mile markers 108 and 119, and between
mile markers 124 and 125.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4071 11185 4078 11217 4103 11213 4092 11172
TIME...MOT...LOC 1925Z 204DEG 11KT 4079 11196
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
136 PM MDT Wed May 13 2026
UTZ115>117-132000-
Western Millard and Juab Counties UT-Central Mountains UT-
Eastern Juab/Millard Counties UT-
136 PM MDT Wed May 13 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Millard
County through 200 PM MDT
...
At 135 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles south of Delta, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Delta, Oak City, and Mc Cornick.
This includes the following highways...
US Route 6 between mile markers 85 and 98.
US Route 50 between mile markers 90 and 109.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3903 11247 3910 11272 3949 11258 3937 11220
TIME...MOT...LOC 1935Z 202DEG 33KT 3917 11255
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
JACSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
148 PM MDT Wed May 13 2026
UTZ125-128-131-132015-
South Central Utah UT-Southern Mountains UT-
Glen Canyon Recreation Area/Lake Powell UT-
148 PM MDT Wed May 13 2026
...A cluster of strong thunderstorms will impact portions of south
central Garfield and central Kane Counties through 215 PM MDT
...
At 147 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms 20 miles southeast of Henrieville, or 26 miles south
of Escalante, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Big Water, Paria Canyon, and Paria River Slot Canyon.
This includes the following highways...
US Route 89 between mile markers 3 and 35.
Utah Route 12 between mile markers 49 and 55.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3715 11209 3780 11173 3747 11114 3699 11165
3700 11184
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 215DEG 30KT 3739 11170
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
JACPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
158 PM MDT Wed May 13 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0120 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WNW South Salt Lake 40.72N 111.90W
05/13/2026 M59 MPH Salt Lake UT Mesonet
Mesonet station UT23 I-15/2400 S.
0135 PM Tstm Wnd Gst South Valley Regional A 40.62N 111.99W
05/13/2026 M59 MPH Salt Lake UT AWOS
AWOS station KSVR Slc Arpt No. 2.
&&
ChurchThe Salt Lake City radar (KMTX), 133 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:23 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Compression Canyon mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 65 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of convective showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Evanston North mesonet station recorded an initial wind gust of 58 mph, followed by a peak wind gust of 59 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of convective showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The N7SHZ Medicine Butt Mountain WY US mesonet station recorded a period of strong wind gusts in excess of 56 mph, generally in the 60 to 70 mph range, and peaking at 70 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of convective showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Evanston-Uinta County Airport - Burns Field ASOS (KEVW) recorded an initial wind gust of 60 mph, followed by a peak wind gust of 69 mph, and a final strong gust of 58 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of convective showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The N7SHZ Medicine Butt Mountain WY US recorded an initial wind gust of 77 mph, followed by a peak wind gust of 79 mph, and a final strong gust of 75 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of convective showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The I80/US189 - First Divide mesonet station recorded a period of wind gusts to 70 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of convective showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The Evanston North mesonet station recorded an initial peak wind gust of 85 mph, followed by a wind gust of 78 mph, as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of convective showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The I 80 - Coal Road mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 58 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of convective showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The HAMPT1 mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 64 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of convective showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
The VERNE1 mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 62 mph as a result of outflow winds associated with a nearby cluster of convective showers and thunderstorms moving through the area.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wyoming in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Wyoming, 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: 1339641, 1339644, 1339645, 1339655, 1339664, 1339660, 1339675, 1339676, 1339677, 1339678.