Salt Lake City is waking up calm before the chaos. As of 5:35 a.m. MDT Saturday, March 14, skies are clear, the temperature is hovering near 46°F and a light southeast breeze is in place. The valley is expected to warm into the low 60s by afternoon before a fast-moving front barges in, flipping the wind and dragging in scattered showers later in the day.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
A Wind Advisory is posted for the Salt Lake Valley from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. MDT Saturday, March 14, calling for northwest winds of 25–35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Some exposed corridors and mountain passes could see even stronger gusts. High Wind Warnings are also up for pockets of the region, where gusts may top 65 mph in the higher terrain. The National Weather Service is urging residents to secure loose outdoor items and use extra caution on the roads Saturday evening.
Travel And Visibility
Those winds will not just rattle windows. Blowing dust may knock down visibility in parts of the valley and along I‑84 between Snowville and Tremonton, turning short stretches of interstate into sudden trouble spots. Drivers of semis, RVs and vehicles towing trailers are being urged to think twice about east–west trips or to pick routes that dodge the most exposed highway segments. For real-time road conditions and any restrictions, check UDOT Traffic.
Rain Tonight, Snow In The Mountains
Clouds build and a chance of light rain moves in after noon Saturday, with highs landing near 62°F. A cooler push late Saturday into Sunday will drop temperatures into the 30s, with a low around 30°F overnight. Rain is expected to change to snow over the Wasatch and other higher terrain late Saturday night, while northwest winds stay breezy at 15–21 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Looking ahead, a strong ridge is projected to set up by midweek, sending highs into the 70s and even 80s Wednesday through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
How To Prepare
Now is the time to lock things down. Secure patio furniture, trash cans and anything else that might decide to take flight, and plan on a blustery evening commute. If you have to be on the road, tie down loads, ease off the gas when gusts hit and avoid exposed east–west highways late Saturday when you can. Keep an eye on updated forecasts and official alerts through the morning and afternoon as this system blows through.
