From noon on Monday, Feb. 3, to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, there will be a wind advisory for Cedar City. High gusts and winds are a normality in southern Utah, but there are ways to stay safe.
What to expect
Monday will have a mix of clear skies, clouds, wind speeds of 20-25 mph and gusts over 40 mph. Tuesday is expected to be partly cloudy with 25-35 mph wind and gusts over 40 mph. Wednesday will bring calmer winds that are expected to be 15-20 mph as the wind advisory ends.
“A Wind Advisory means that sustained winds of 30 mph for one hour and/or frequent gusts of at least 45 mph are occurring or expected within the next 36 hours,” according to the National Weather Service. “These winds will make it difficult to drive high-profile vehicles.”
There are a few ways to stay safe during the advisory. Here are some suggestions according to the National Weather Service:
— If strong winds are forecast, ensure that all lightweight or loose objects on your property (grills, patio furniture, trash cans, small toys, etc.) are secured or brought indoors.
— Strong winds make driving high-profile vehicles very difficult, and sudden wind gusts can cause one to lose control of these vehicles. Pay extra attention to the road if you must drive a high-profile vehicle, and be prepared for sudden changes in the wind. Try not to drive on roads perpendicular to the wind direction (ex., N-S roads with a W-E wind).
— Remove dead or rotting trees on your property before a high wind event. Weak trees can fall over in moderately strong wind, damage structures, and take out power lines.
Author: Chevy Blackburn
outdoors@suunews.net