Tornado conditions exist on Tuesday for large swath of Utah
Aug 22, 2023, 2:49 PM | Updated: 3:28 pm
A puddle left by the rain reflects someone walking in downtown Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. (Megan Nielsen/Deseret News)
(Megan Nielsen/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Strong storms are possible Tuesday afternoon bringing with them the risk — albeit a very low one — for a tornado.
@NWSSPC is forecasting a 2% chance of a tornado within 25 miles within the green area.
In other words, if you are located in this area, there is a 2% chance that a tornado develops within 25 miles of you.
Thus, the chance for tornadoes is small, but nonzero.(2/3) #utwx pic.twitter.com/LamlNDFrVd
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) August 21, 2023
KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson said the risk stretched across Utah, essentially along the I-15 corridor, from Logan to Cedar City.
Utah has only averaged about one tornado a year since tracking started in 1950. And as far as tornados that have happened along the Wasatch Front, there’s been even fewer.
“Within the last 73 years, the state of Utah has seen 138 tornados … ranging from (an) EF-0 to an EF-2 or 3,” Matt said.
Along the Wasatch Front, that number drops to 38.
“So over 73 years, that is about half a tornado a year. So you’re lucky to see one a year fall along the Wasatch Front.”
Matt said Tuesday’s weather is not the remnant of Hurricane Hilary, but rather deep tropical moisture. However, Hilary’s passing through Utah Monday is contributing to the conditions for the strong storms.
“[It] opened the door for a deeper tap of moisture out of the Gulf of Mexico and the Sea of Cortez,” said Matt.
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