Utah Environment & Hazard Risk

Thunderstorm outflow winds generated blowing dust with near zero visibility along Interstate 15 near milepost 152 south of Fillmore. This resulted in a multi vehicle pileup with at least 22 vehicles involved, 8 fatalities, and 10 injuries. The nearest mesonet site located 7 miles south of the crash site recorded a wind gust to 32 mph around the time of the crash, at approximately 430 PM MDT.

Video shared from broadcast media of a flash flood wave and debris out of Sunglow canyon crossing the road near Bicknell. Subsequently, the Wayne County Sheriff reported 5 deceased in a wash near Sunglow Campground, believed to have fallen victim to flooding from heavy rainfall.

The Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center reported that two groups, totaling eight people, were backcountry skiing at Wilson Glade in Millcreek Canyon, when an avalanche was triggered. The avalanche caught and buried six of the people, leading to four fatalities, while two survived, one with injuries. The avalanche occurred in terrain that was rated for High avalanche danger that day. The weather the day of the avalanche was sunny and fair. However, two storm systems the week prior to the avalanche brought roughly 20 inches of snow and winds 15-30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph.

The Forsyth Fire started on Thursday, June 19th, 2025. Initial reports from fire officials state the fire is suspected to have originated as a holdover from lightning in the Pine Valley Mountains. A long stretch of hot, dry, and windy conditions prevailed ahead of the fire's discovery on the 19th. A nearby RAWS station in Pine Valley (TT900) observed Red Flag conditions (wind gusts >25 mph and RH <15%) for about 16 hours from the afternoon of the 19th to the early morning hours on the 20th. A mandatory evacuation order for the Pine Valley community was issued at 9:21 PM on the 19th. Red Flag conditions redeveloped late morning on the 20th, with strong southwest winds eventually pushing the fire into the community of Pine Valley. Washington County Sheriff reports 14 homes and 4 outbuildings destroyed in Pine Valley despite mitigation efforts. Red Flag conditions continued June 21st with the TT900 RAWS station reporting wind gusts upwards of 44 mph with RH in the single digits to teens. This resulted in the fire spreading to the north side of the valley and making a run at the communities of Grass Valley and Pinto, which were placed in an evacuation order at 5:37 PM on June 21st....

A two-vehicle crash occurred just before 7PM MDT on U.S. Highway 89, and resulted in 3 fatalities. The Utah Department of Transportation reported that it was snowing at the time of the accident and the road was snow-covered. The Utah Highway Patrol indicated that weather was a likely factor in the crash. Though surface observations in this area are sparse, a nearby RAWS site reported 33 degrees near the time of the crash, with ongoing precipitation.

A historic downslope wind event impacted the Salt Lake and Tooele Valleys, with the most extensive damage observed across the Salt Lake Valley. A peak wind gust of 89 mph was recorded at The University of Utah Browning Building. Other notable peak wind gusts recorded included 77 mph at Salt Lake City International Airport, 68 mph at the Great Salt Lake Marina, 68 mph in the Salt Lake City Avenues, 67 mph by the Baccus Highway sensor, 67 mph by the I-215 at Olympus Cove sensor, and 59 mph by the Foothill Dr at Mario Capecchi Dr. sensor. Widespread wind damage, downed trees, and power outages were reported. The Salt Lake Forester estimated more than 1500 trees fell on public land alone, not including private property, during the event. Many of the trees were 60 to 100 years old. Liberty Park lost 69 trees, and the City Cemetery lost 255 trees. Over 180,000 power outages were reported along the Wasatch Front, with some locations taking days to around a week to have power restored due to the extensive damage. Salt Lake City schools were closed Tuesday through Thursday. The Capitol Complex was closed due to extensive tree damage, as were numerous parks, golf courses and recreation...