Officials urge caution to travelers with heavy rain expected for the holiday weekend
Sep 1, 2023, 8:31 AM
FILE: Storm clouds over southern Utah on July 14, 2018.
SALT LAKE CITY—Getting out of town and enjoying Labor Day could be more complicated this year. Heavy rain is expected across the Beehive State for the next several days.
On X, the National Weather Service posted Zion National Park had already received a half-inch to an inch and a half of rain from Thursday night to early Friday morning, and there is more on the way.
“Southern Utah is going to get hit the hardest, with showers and storms causing a flash flooding threat…through the weekend,” said KSL Meteorologist Kristen Van Dyke.
The National Weather Service has listed flash flooding as “probable” in all of the state’s national parks through at least Saturday. Flash flooding is expected in Zion National Park.
This warning is for @ZionNPS. Our radar estimates 0.5 to 1.0 inches of rain have fallen across much of the park with additional showers and thunderstorms approaching from Arizona. If in the park at this time, find higher ground immediately! #utwx https://t.co/tg7v45oyfT
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) September 1, 2023
“If your plans take you to low-lying areas, be able to get to higher ground quickly because things can change in a hurry,” said National Weather Service Senior Meteorologist Monica Traphagan.
The Wasatch Front and other parts of the state will join in on the storms Friday, with gusty winds expected to stick around Northwest Utah through Friday night.
Traphagan said gusts clocked 50 miles an hour near the Salt Lake City International Airport Friday morning, as well as I-80 to the west.
KSL Meteorologists predict highs in the 80s through Sunday, with a cooler Labor Day in Salt Lake City. High temps stick around despite the rain in St. George all weekend.
Possible travel delays
UDOT is urging people to plan their travels carefully regardless of when that rain comes down. They are warning of delays on I-15 in Davis and Salt Lake Counties Friday afternoon and evening, as well as I-15 near Nephi Friday and Monday. They also say Spanish Fork Canyon could see some of the thickest holiday delays Monday afternoon.
A good rule of thumb, avoid travel from lunch time until about 7 p.m.
Be sure to check the forecast and listen in to 102.7 FM, 1160 AM and kslnewsradio.com every half hour through the weekend for news, traffic and weather updates.
“If you have outdoor plans, you want to have alternate plans available that are indoors,” Traphagan said. “There is a good chance things could get washed out.”
