TORREY, Utah – A sharp overnight chill will grip south-central Utah early Tuesday as a Freeze Warning takes effect for Capitol Reef National Park and nearby valleys, including Torrey and Loa. Sub-freezing lows near 30 degrees are expected between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. MDT, posing a risk to unprotected vegetation and outdoor plumbing.
According to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, cold air behind a departing weekend storm system will settle into high desert basins late Monday night, producing the first widespread freeze of the fall season for elevations below 6,750 feet. Calm winds and clear skies will allow temperatures to plummet quickly before dawn.
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Utah Division of Emergency Management advise residents to protect gardens, drain irrigation systems, and cover exposed pipes. Farmers and orchard owners should take immediate steps to shield tender crops or late-season produce from frost damage.
Travel impacts are expected to be minimal, but motorists on State Route 24 through Torrey and the western approach to Capitol Reef National Park should watch for patchy frost early Tuesday morning, particularly in shaded or low-lying areas. Temperatures are expected to rebound into the upper 50s by afternoon with abundant sunshine.
Another chilly night is likely Tuesday before gradual warming midweek as high pressure builds across the region, bringing mild and dry fall conditions back to southern Utah.
