High speed winds result in a semi rollover in Tooele, avalanche warnings

Dec 14, 2021, 10:24 AM | Updated: 10:40 am

Semi rollover cause by wind blocks I-80 in Tooele County Photo: Derek Petersen / KSL TV

Former Digital Content Producer

SALT LAKE CITY — A semi-truck blew over on westbound I-80 Tuesday morning. And this happened shortly after the Utah Highway Patrol asked drivers for caution due to a high wind advisory in Tooele County.

THe UHP also reported wind gusts of up to 48 mph near Lakepoint.

High wind advisory for I-80 in Tooele County. No restrictions are in place at this time but high profile vehicles are advised to use caution. Wind gusts near Lakepoint are estimated to be near 48 mph. pic.twitter.com/pZ96t66yVA

— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol) December 14, 2021

Semi-truck rollover

The semi blew over on westbound I-80 around 8:30 a.m. at milepost 79. It was blocking all lanes of westbound traffic.

The fact that this semi managed to avoid going in the water is impressive. pic.twitter.com/iKdG298SZu

— 𝕎𝕒𝕤𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕊𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕒𝕤𝕥 (@WasatchSnow) December 14, 2021

The UHP said the incident resulted in minor injuries.

High winds make avalanches possible

The high-speed wind gusts also resulted in an avalanche advisory. Weather experts were warning people heading into the backcountry to be aware of avalanche danger.

Salt Lake County Emergency Management reported that all of northern Utah’s mountain ranges have considerable avalanche danger Tuesday. They expected wind drifts to develop in steep terrain throughout Tuesday and into the morning on Wednesday, making natural avalanches possible.

Salt Lake County Emergency Management advised the public to avoid northwest to east-facing slopes.

Areas of CONSIDERABLE danger exist on all steep northwest to east-facing slopes at the mid and upper elevations. This terrain is to be avoided. 1-3′ deep avalanches can be triggered. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry. Natural avalanches will be possible. pic.twitter.com/ykUXbqnvYO

— Salt Lake County Emergency Management (@SLCoEmerMngt) December 14, 2021

Although an unseasonable high of 51 degrees is projected for northern Utah on Tuesday, rain is expected to turn to snow late in the evening and possibly into Wednesday morning.

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