Powerful wind gusts rattle US Southwest

TRACY, California—A storm blasted the Southwest with powerful wind gusts, snow and rain on Monday, knocking over big rigs on a stretch of California highway, toppling trees in Las Vegas and causing dust storm warnings in some areas.

It was a gusty prelude to a storm that was forecast to drop more than a foot of snow in mountainous areas of Utah. A foot had already fallen in the upper elevations of the Sierra Nevada, and a 103 mph (165 kph) gust blew across the mountains near Lake Tahoe.

The National Weather Service says rain and snow will linger into Wednesday.

The California Highway Patrol said two drivers suffered minor to moderate injuries after truck accidents on a Northern California highway.

Heavy winds also whipped through Nevada, where planes at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas changed their takeoff patterns. The airport said no flights were delayed because of the weather. Clark County officials issued a dust advisory that will remain in effect through Monday evening.

In Utah, the town of Cedar City was blasted by winds that were toppling trees and shorting power lines. There were scattered power outages in the state.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that a man and his teenage son were safe after two-foot waves capsized their canoe on a reservoir. Both were wearing life jackets.

KGO-TV reports wind also knocked the facade off a Forever 21 store in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Emeryville. No one was hurt, but two vehicles were damaged.

Authorities in northern Arizona postponed prescribed burns because of the high winds.