ST. GEORGE – A high-wind warning for parts of Washington County and southwest Utah from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning has been issued by the National Weather Service.
Motorists traveling on Interstate 15 during this time are advised to exercise caution, particularly if driving a high-profile vehicle or towing a trailer.
Wind and timing
Northwest winds are anticipated to reach between 25 and 35 mph with gusts in excess of 60 mph between now and 9 a.m. Thursday for parts of Utah’s Dixie excluding St. George and Zion National Park.
Winds near canyons will continue to develop this afternoon and strengthen overnight and are expected to diminish into the morning hours Thursday.
Strong and erratic winds may impact travel along I-15 in Washington County, especially for high-profile vehicles and those towing trailers or boats.
Precautionary actions
Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage. Vehicles, especially high-profile vehicles, can be difficult to control at times in high winds.
Motorists should take extra caution, especially while crossing bridges, overpasses and unsheltered areas.
High winds were blamed for an accident on I-15 near Kanarraville in September involving an overturned trailer. While the incident blocked traffic on southbound I-15 for a short time, no one was injured, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.
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Here’s hoping the dingbats who “make no apologies” for driving 80 through the Gorge can manage not to kill someone in these winds.
Just stop being a moving hazard by doing 40 in the passing lane and you would have a more realistic view of how others drive. The wind is hard to deal with without you adding your cluelessness to it.
Well 80 is too fast and 40 is too slow for the Gorge, but have at it folks as I’ll sit back and watch you crash into eachother, and then pass on by…..oh, Happy Holidays!