A strong and windy storm system moved through Utah beginning April 14, and the winds caused widespread damage across the state. This damage included a fatal pileup accident on Interstate 80 and a destructive wildfire in central Utah that was fueled by the winds. In addition, the storm brought heavy snowfall to both the mountains and valleys of northern Utah.

High Wind in WEST CENTRAL UTAH, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 09:30:00 to 14-APR-15 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Peak recorded wind guts included 71 mph at the U.S. 6 at Eureka sensor, 62 mph at the Delta Municipal Airport, 61 mph at Fish Springs in the Dugway Proving Ground mesonet, and 58 mph at the Clearspot sensor. Blowing dust reduced visibilities and created hazardous driving conditions across the area.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN WASATCH FRONT, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 17:00:00 to 15-APR-15 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall included 12 inches in Bountiful, 12 inches on the Northeast Ogden Bench, 11 inches in Ogden, and many other reports along the northern Wasatch Front of 5-10 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in WASATCH MOUNTAINS I-80 NORTH, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 08:00:00 to 16-APR-15 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Parrish Creek SNOTEL received 2.00 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation, or approximately 25 inches of new snow. In addition, winds were strong during the beginning of the storm, with peak wind gusts of 88 mph at Ogden Peak, 85 mph at the SR-65 at Big Mountain Pass sensor, and 84 mph at Powder Mountain.

Winter Storm in WESTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 10:00:00 to 16-APR-15 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several SNOTEL stations in the Uinta Mountains received 0.80 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation, or approximately 13 inches new snow, including Hewinta SNOTEL and Steel Creek Park SNOTEL. In addition, winds were strong at the beginning of the storm, with maximum wind gusts of 87 mph at Windy Peak and 81 mph at Lofty Lake Peak.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 11:30:00 to 16-APR-15 11:30:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Mount Baldy and Red Pine Ridge SNOTELs both received 1.70 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation, or approximately 20 inches of new snow. In addition, a peak wind gust of 75 mph was recorded at Dog Valley.

High Wind in SOUTHWEST UTAH, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 10:20:00 to 14-APR-15 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Maximum recorded wind gusts included 63 mph at the Milford Municipal Airport/Ben and Judy Briscoe Field, 61 mph at the Cedar City Regional Airport, and 61 mph at the Brimstone Reservoir RAWS. In addition, a few trees were knocked down across the area due to the strong winds. Power outages were common across Iron County, with over 3,000 customers impacted.

High Wind in GREAT SALT LAKE DESERT AND MOUNTAINS, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 09:15:00 to 14-APR-15 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 71.00 MG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The winds were strongest across Utah's northwest desert, with maximum wind gusts of 82 mph at both Lakeside Mountain and English Village, 81 mph at the Interstate 80 at Milepost 1 sensor, 75 mph at Badger Island, 74 mph at Upper Cedar Mountain, 72 mph at the Wendover Point of Entry, and many observations in the 55-70 mph range. The largest impact was along Interstate 80 near Delle, where low visibility in blowing dust was a major factor in a large pilup crash. A semitruck slowed down when experiencing reduced visibilities, but this caused several passenger vehicles to collide with the back of the truck. After the chain reaction was finished, a total of 6 semitrucks and 11 passenger vehicles were involved in the accident, resulting in 25 injuries, including 18 hospitalizations. There was also one fatality in the crash, a 65-year-old male. The interstate was closed for 6 hours from Milepost 1 to Milepost 99 due to this accident. In separate incidents, several other semitrailers were also knocked over along Interstate 80 due to the strong crosswinds.

High Wind in SALT LAKE AND TOOELE VALLEYS, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 09:45:00 to 14-APR-15 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 70.00 MG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Maximum wind gusts recorded in the Salt Lake and Tooele valleys included 81 mph at the Great Salt Lake Marina, 75 mph at Baccus Highway, 66 mph at Point of the Mountain, 66 mph at the Interstate 15 at 2400 South sensor, 65 mph at Salt Air, and 64 mph at the Salt Lake City International Airport ASOS. A semitrailer was overturned on Interstate 215 in Salt Lake City, and several large trees were uprooted across the Salt Lake Valley. Winds also caused damage to many fences and yards across the area, including displacing sheds and knocking over at least one cinder block wall.  Salt Lake City International Airport had an internal ground stop of 1 hour and 45 minutes total due to the strong winds; 25 aircraft were held for up to 63 minutes, with an average of a 30 minute delay, and at least 16 flights were diverted to other airports. Power outages were common across the area, with at least 9,000 customers impacted in Salt Lake County and over 2,000 customers impacted in Tooele County.

High Wind in SOUTHERN WASATCH FRONT, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 12:00:00 to 14-APR-15 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Peak recorded wind gusts included 61 mph at Saratoga Springs and 58 mph at Pioneer Crossing. Minor tree and fence damage was reported across Utah Valley from the winds.

High Wind in WASATCH MOUNTAIN VALLEYS, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 13:00:00 to 14-APR-15 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The peak recorded wind gust in the Wasatch mountain valleys was 60 mph in Morgan, Utah. Minor damage occurred to trees in the area, and nearly 2,000 people experienced power outages caused by the winds.

Wildfire in SALT LAKE AND TOOELE VALLEYS, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 12:30:00 to 14-APR-15 13:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A fallen power line ignited a brush fire in the Avenues area of Salt Lake City, which quickly grew to 100 acres due to strong winds. Ten homes were evacuated near 700 North and I Street. Firefighters were able to quickly contain the blaze, keeping it from reaching any of the homes, but one home suffered heat damage in the outside patio area, and a second house suffered smoke damage.

High Wind in NORTHERN WASATCH FRONT, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 12:00:00 to 14-APR-15 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Peak recorded wind gusts in the northern Wasatch Front included 64 mph at the  	Brigham City Airport, 64 mph at Hill Air Force Base, 63 mph at the I-15 at Plymouth sensor, and 61 mph along the Legacy Parkway. The winds tore the roof off of a couple buildings in Bountiful, and more minor damage was reported to trees, fences, and trampolines that became airborne. Several power outages occurred across the area, impacting at least 4,000 people.

Winter Storm in WASATCH MOUNTAINS SOUTH OF I-80, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 12:00:00 to 16-APR-15 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Storm total snowfall amounts included 45 inches at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, 34 inches at Alta Ski lifts, 23 inches at Big Cottonwood Spruces, and 22 inches of snow at Brighton Resort. In addition, winds were strong at the beginning of the storm, with peak recorded gusts of 89 mph at Arrowhead Peak at Sundance Mountain Resort, and 75 mph at Jupiter Peak near Park City.

High Wind in CACHE VALLEY/UTAH, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 13:50:00 to 14-APR-15 14:25:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Logan-Cache Airport ASOS recorded a maximum wind gust of 60 mph. Minor tree damage was also reported from the strong winds.

Wildfire in CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 14:00:00 to 14-APR-15 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 350.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The Quakie Haven Fire began near Fish Lake on the afternoon of April 14, and grew quickly due to strong winds. The fire destroyed two summer cabins and damaged several outbuildings and other structures in the Sleepy Hollow area, but fire crews were able to keep the blaze away from other cabins in the area. The fire also forced the temporary closure of portions of State Route 25. Suppression efforts continued for more than a week after the blaze was ignited, but the fire was effectively under control and was no longer threatening structures beginning on the evening of the 14th of April.

High Wind in SANPETE/SEVIER VALLEYS, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 12:40:00 to 14-APR-15 14:50:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Interstate 15 at Sevier River Northbound sensor recorded a maximum wind gust of 65 mph.

Winter Storm in CACHE VALLEY/UTAH, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 16:00:00 to 15-APR-15 23:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Logan received a storm total of 11 inches of snow, with many other locations across Cache Valley measuring 5-10 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in SALT LAKE AND TOOELE VALLEYS, UTAH
From 14-APR-15 17:00:00 to 16-APR-15 01:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Storm total snowfall in the Salt Lake Valley included 14 inches at Upper Millcreek, 12 inches in Sandy, and many reports of approximately 10 inches of snow. The worst conditions on roadways occurred on the morning commute of April 15, with 118 crashes reported, including 16 that resulted in injuries. During the evening commute on April 15, a woman was killed in a multicar crash on State Route 201 near the Interstate 80 on-ramp. The victim lost control of her vehicle on the snow-packed road, and was then rear-ended by another vehicle traveling the same route. In addition, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper was injured while responding to the scene.