Salt Lake City rolled into Sunday, March 15, under clear skies, a biting 30°F at sunrise, and northwest gusts already punching into the 30s and low 40s at local observation sites. Those early morning blasts made canyon runs and exposed routes a little hairy for the first wave of commuters. Temperatures stay on the cool side through this afternoon before a steady warm-up kicks in on Monday.
Watches And Warnings
Multiple High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories are posted across northern and central Utah into the early hours of Sunday, with some alerts stretching into the midnight to 6 a.m. window. Forecasters say the strongest gusts will be focused on downslopes and exposed ridgetops, where winds can toss loose debris and trigger power outages. If you have to be out tonight, secure anything that can blow around and give yourself extra travel time, according to NWS Salt Lake City.
Where The Strongest Gusts Will Hit
The fiercest winds are expected on the leeside of terrain, especially across the central and northern mountains, the western Uinta Basin, and parts of Castle Country. Washington County could see gap winds approaching 60 mph along I-15 near Pintura and through the Black Rock Canyon stretch. In valley neighborhoods, gusts will generally run 30–45 mph, enough to unsettle trailers and make bridge crossings or canyon entrances more hazardous. Keep a close eye on high-profile vehicles and large-load haulers this evening.
Warm-Up Next Week
The wind show looks brief. A strong ridge is set to build over the West early next week and send temperatures climbing fast. Daytime highs jump into the 70s by Tuesday, March 17, peak in the upper 70s on Wednesday, March 18, and then push to around or above 80°F by Thursday and Friday (March 19–20). Forecasters are putting good odds on the valleys logging their earliest 80°F on record later in the week, with a smaller chance of afternoon readings nudging into the mid-80s, according to NWS Salt Lake City.
What Locals Should Do
Bring in or tie down patio furniture, tarps, and any loose yard gear tonight, and avoid parking under weak trees or next to structures that are not well secured. Once winds ease during the day, check live road cameras and allow extra time if your route includes canyon drives. For background and timing on the warm spell, see our March 11 update on the early March heat, as per Hoodline.
Quick Forecast Snapshot
Sunday, March 15: Mostly sunny with a high near 45°F and winds easing through the afternoon. Monday–Wednesday, March 16–18: steady warm-up with highs near 61°F on Monday and about 73°F on Tuesday, followed by upper 70s on Wednesday and near 80°F by Thursday and Friday.
