Wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph swept through Salt Lake County on Wednesday evening, July 29, after the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning covering Sandy and much of the valley.
The warning, which remained in effect until 7 p.m. MDT, came as a storm system that originated in Tooele County tracked eastward into Davis and Salt Lake Counties. The NWS had already issued a warning for Tooele County with winds up to 70 mph before the system pushed into the metro area, Fox 13 Utah reported.
The NWS warned that additional severe thunderstorm warnings could be issued as the storm continued moving east through the region.
Power outages remained limited
As of Wednesday evening, July 29, Rocky Mountain Power reported 520 customers without power statewide, representing less than 0.1% of its 1.06 million tracked customers. Salt Lake County accounted for 29 of those outages, while Davis County saw 228, according to PowerOutage.us.
Neither Sandy City nor Rocky Mountain Power had released confirmed reports of downed trees, power line failures, or injuries in Sandy as of Wednesday evening.
Heat wave on deck
The storm marked what the NWS called a "final round of monsoon moisture" before a drying trend and heat dome settle over Utah beginning Thursday, July 30.
An Extreme Heat Watch takes effect Saturday afternoon, August 1, and runs through Sunday evening for Sandy and the broader Salt Lake Valley. The NWS Salt Lake City office forecasts temperatures up to 105°F with overnight lows in the low-to-mid 70s offering little relief.
"There's just going to be very little relief from the heat, which is particularly problematic for people who have a higher risk for heat sensitivity," NWS meteorologist Sam Webber told Axios Salt Lake City on Wednesday, July 29.
Saturday's high is forecast to hit 106°F, about 10 degrees above average for late July.
Safety guidance
The NWS advises residents to secure outdoor furniture and loose items ahead of any additional storm activity and to limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours Saturday and Sunday. The agency also recommends checking on elderly or vulnerable neighbors during the heat watch.
The Extreme Heat Watch covers Bountiful, Salt Lake City, West Jordan, Sandy, Ogden, Provo, and Tooele.
