Tornado Confirmed Near Fruit Heights as Severe Storms Hit Northern Utah
A tornado touched down at 7,500 feet elevation near Francis Peak — an unusually high-altitude event for Utah — as hail and 78 mph wind gusts battered Davis County.
If you live in Weber, Davis, or Morgan County and watched a tornado warning expire on your phone Friday afternoon, you’re probably wondering one thing: did a tornado actually touch down, and is it safe to go outside yet.
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City confirmed that a tornado did touch down near a ridgeline summit close to Francis Peak, about two miles east of Fruit Heights, at roughly 1:50 p.m. MDT on Friday, September 18. The confirmation was based on video showing rotation reaching the ground and debris being lofted into the air. The tornado touched down at about 7,500 feet elevation in an unpopulated area, and no damage was reported from it. A separate severe thunderstorm warning remained active afterward for Weber and Davis counties, with wind gusts over 60 mph, hail up to half-dollar size, heavy rain, and the risk of flash flooding.
At a Glance
If you were in the warned area, inspect your roof, vehicle, and windows for possible hail damage — hail up to half-dollar size can dent metal and crack glass. Photograph any damage before making repairs and contact your insurer to ask what documentation your policy requires. A severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect for Weber and Davis counties after the tornado warning expired, so keep checking current National Weather Service alerts. If you witnessed the funnel cloud or found storm damage, you can report it through the National Weather Service’s official channels, which help forecasters confirm what occurred.
Where the Tornado Touched Down
How the Storm Unfolded
Why This Tornado Stood Out
Tornadoes are rare in Utah but not impossible — the state averages roughly two per year. What made Friday’s event notable was its elevation. Most tornadoes form at much lower altitudes. This one touched down at approximately 7,500 feet near the Francis Peak ridgeline. It follows previous severe-weather warnings across northern Utah this year, including an EF-1 tornado in Tooele County in August.
The National Weather Service will determine the exact strength of Friday’s tornado after reviewing the area, a process that can take a few days. Based on video and radar, a KSL meteorologist estimated it would likely register between EF-0 and EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The August Tooele County tornado produced peak winds of about 100 mph and caused property and vegetation damage — the first known tornado in Utah since one touched down in Rich County earlier this year.
A low-pressure system moving toward Utah from the Pacific Northwest collided with subtropical moisture moving from the southwest, creating shear that can produce stronger thunderstorms and supercells. A KSL meteorologist explained that “great lift” formed over the Great Salt Lake, then the storm split as it passed through Davis County in a way that typically indicates the type of rotation to produce a tornado.
“From video and observations that we’ve seen, I’d say the most likely spot tornado investigators are going to get a read on how strong the tornado was is probably going to be in the mountaintops, where we saw debris flying and actual footage of a touchdown.”
— Matt Johnson, KSL Meteorologist
Wind gusts of 50-65 mph were reported across areas north of Salt Lake County. A peak gust of 78 mph was recorded near Legacy Highway in West Bountiful. KSL reporters and viewers reported large hail in the area, some appearing to be golf ball- and ping-pong-sized. Utah transportation cameras showed ponding along parts of I-15 where the storm passed through.
Why are tornadoes so rare in Utah?
Utah averages roughly two tornadoes a year, and most are weak. A brief EF-1 tornado touched down in Tooele County in August, and Friday’s confirmed tornado near Fruit Heights is still awaiting an official strength rating. Warnings can be issued when radar or spotter reports indicate a potential tornado, even before ground confirmation follows.
The tornado warning for parts of Weber, Davis, and Morgan counties has expired, and the National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down near Fruit Heights, though it caused no reported damage. A separate severe thunderstorm warning remained active afterward. Check for hail damage, keep weather alerts active, and report any storm damage to the National Weather Service. For more on severe weather preparedness in the region, see our earlier coverage of northern Utah storm systems.
