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U researchers use powerful radars to study storms in Utah

University of Utah meteorologists are using a truck-mounted radar dish typically used to track Midwest tornadoes to chase storms in Utah.

Researchers are using the dish to get an unprecedented look inside snow and rainstorms over the Salt Lake Valley.

The Doppler on Wheels truck is more powerful than radars used by the National Weather Service, so it is able to help meteorologists better understand how weather works in Utah.

"What we're looking at today we're trying to look at how the Wasatch enhance storms, so what we're looking at today as this storm comes through we're looking at how the Wasatch causes it to intensify," said Jim Steenburgh, a professors at the U of U.

The NWS will be upgrading their radars in the next couple of years to be as powerful as the Doppler on Wheels.

Crews Say Fireworks Sparked Moab Blaze

Moab fire investigators say three people setting off fireworks sparked Monday's blaze in a nature preserve. The Slough fire burned 65 acres in the Matheson Wetlands Preserve Monday night. Erratic winds made for a dangerous fire fight and forced 200 families to evacuate their homes. The Grand county attorney will screen possible charges. Crews say they have the fire under control and fully contained.  Fire managers say it's been a slow start to the fire season because wet weather has kept fire fuel from drying out. Problem is, now there's much more to burn. Tracy Dunford with Utah's Division of Natural Resources says "It's been a wetter than usual spring. We've got a lot of growth because of that moisture. That stuffs going to dry out now and it's going to be a big concern for us."

1 to 2 Hour Delays for Holiday Road Trips

Heading to southern Utah may take a little longer this Memorial Day weekend. The Utah Department of Transportation is warning drivers there could be one to two hour delays on I-15 through Utah County. UDOT says there won't be any new construction or restrictions on the I-15 Core Project. But crews will continue working through the holiday. They want to take advantage of a little sun, just like travelers. Scott Thompson, UDOT Spokesman says "We've been a little hampered by the weather with what we can do. We can't put down asphalt or concrete when it's cold and rainy. So hopefully this is turning out to be a good time of year to really get some construction done." UDOT Says avoid travel on I-15 through Utah County Friday afternoon and Monday after 2pm. AAA says fewer people plan on driving this Memorial Day weekend. Down half a percent from last year.
 

Basements filling with ground water in Rose Park

Even before Wednesday night’s rain storm, some homes in Rose Park already had water damage in their basements. Soil is so soaked, water is seeping into basements through tiny cracks in cement foundations. The Trujillo family had 18 inches of water at one point. Fans are now drying out their carpet. Outside, a home made drainage system made of a tarp, bucket and hose will hopefully reroute rainfall away from the house. Joe Trujillo says he's not the only one fighting the water "This year has just been outrageous just so much water its seeping into all the basements this entire block." Salt Lake City's public utilities department has received several reports. Director Jeff Niermeyer says "with the rising ground water we’re advising people to make sure all their drains are clear are routed away from their foundation walls." The city is tracking the ground water problem and wants to hear from homeowners with flooding in their basements.

Basements filling with ground water in Rose Park

Even before Wednesday night’s rain storm, some homes in Rose Park already had water damage in their basements. Soil is so soaked, water is seeping into basements through tiny cracks in cement foundations. The Trujillo family had 18 inches of water at one point. Fans are now drying out their carpet. Outside, a home made drainage system made of a tarp, bucket and hose will hopefully reroute rainfall away from the house. Joe Trujillo says he's not the only one fighting the water "This year has just been outrageous just so much water its seeping into all the basements this entire block." Salt Lake City's public utilities department has received several reports. Director Jeff Niermeyer says "with the rising ground water we’re advising people to make sure all their drains are clear are routed away from their foundation walls." The city is tracking the ground water problem and wants to hear from homeowners with flooding in their basements.

FIELD STUDY OF SMOGGY INVERSIONS TO END; Problem Hits Basins from LA to Tehran, Salt Lake to Mexico

FIELD STUDY OF SMOGGY INVERSIONS TO END; Problem Hits Basins from LA to Tehran, Salt Lake to Mexico


            Feb. 2, 2011 - During the past two months, researchers launched weather balloons, drove instrument-laden cars and flew a glider to study winter inversions that often choke Salt Lake City in smog and trap dirty air in other urban basins worldwide.

           

            The field campaign - part of a three-year study by the University of Utah and other institutions - ends Monday, Feb. 7 as atmospheric scientists begin analyzing data they collected to learn how weather conditions contribute to inversions, which occur when warmer air aloft holds cold air near the ground, trapping pollutants.

           

Dirty Air Blankets Wasatch Front

Headache? Itchy eyes? Get used to it. The inversion isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. The air hanging over the Salt Lake valley is so polluted, The Utah Division of Air Quality issued a red alert on Tuesday. Health experts say on red alert days seniors, children and people with heart or lung diseases shouldn't exercise outside.  During a red alert it's illegal to burn wood and the officials encourage drivers to limit trips. Air quality monitors say last year we had twenty red alert days and this is the time of year when it gets really bad.