LEHI, UT — The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southeastern Salt Lake County and north-central Utah County as a storm moved north through the Lehi area Tuesday afternoon.
The warning remained in effect until 4:45 p.m. Forecasters said the storm was detected over Lehi at 4:05 p.m. and was traveling north at 30 mph, bringing the threat of quarter-sized hail and possible vehicle damage.
Communities in the warning area included several cities along the Salt Lake Valley and Utah County corridor
The warning covered a broad stretch of communities, including Sandy, South Jordan, Lehi, Draper, Pleasant Grove, Cottonwood Heights, American Fork and Alpine. Mountain areas and canyon locations were also included, among them Little Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Creek Valley, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Alta, Snowbird and Brighton.
Other places named in the alert were Granite, Highland and Cedar Hills. The National Weather Service also said the warning included I-15, adding a travel concern for drivers moving through the corridor during the storm.
Quarter-sized hail raised concern for cars, roofs and other exposed property
The main hazard identified by forecasters was hail large enough to cause damage, especially to vehicles left outside. Quarter-sized hail can dent cars, shatter windows and damage outdoor property when it falls with enough intensity.
The weather service did not mention tornado risk in the warning, but it did emphasize that the storm met severe criteria because of hail. Residents in the affected area were being warned to expect dangerous conditions while the system remained active.
The storm was moving north from Lehi at 30 mph
At 4:05 p.m., the National Weather Service detected the thunderstorm over Lehi and tracked it as it moved north. That direction put other communities farther along the corridor in the storm’s path as the afternoon went on.
The northward motion also meant conditions could change quickly for people in nearby towns and canyon areas. Forecasters used the storm’s movement to identify the areas most likely to see hail and lightning during the warning period.
Safety guidance urged people to get inside right away
The alert told people to move indoors immediately. It also reminded residents that lightning is one of nature’s leading killers and that hearing thunder means a person is close enough to be struck.
That guidance matters during severe thunderstorms because even storms that last a short time can create serious risks outdoors. The warning language was direct, reflecting the National Weather Service’s push to get people under shelter before the worst of the storm arrived.
Travelers along I-15 and mountain communities were advised to watch conditions closely
Because the warning included I-15, commuters and other drivers faced the possibility of sudden hail while on the road. Reduced visibility, slick pavement and damage from hail can all make travel more hazardous, especially when a storm is moving quickly.
The inclusion of canyon and resort areas such as Alta, Snowbird and Brighton also signaled that mountain locations were within the affected zone. Those areas can be especially vulnerable when storms pass through quickly, so people there were urged to pay attention to changing weather and seek shelter if they were outside.
