SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Happy Friday, Utah! It’s a sizzling hot end to the work week with record-high temperatures in store, however, a gradual return of monsoonal showers can be expected next week.
An Excessive Heat Warning is still in effect for the Wasatch Front and much of western and south-central Utah as high pressure moves east. A heat advisory is also in place for the Uinta Basin and parts of eastern Utah.
Most cities along the Wasatch Front will see temperatures over 100° today, with Salt Lake City possibly reaching 107°. In southern Utah, while the heat is easing slightly, highs will still be above 110º, with Cedar City hitting triple digits again. St. George and Zion Canyon are expected to peak between 110-114°. Overnight, temperatures will remain mild, with the Wasatch Front staying in the mid-70s and St. George not dropping below 80º.
Cloud cover will increase in the coming days as moisture slowly returns, but temperatures will still be near record highs. There’s a slight chance of thunderstorms in southern Utah and higher elevations by Saturday.
However, limited moisture moving into the region will likely produce dry lightning and gusty winds. Consequently, a Fire Weather Watch has been issued for south-central Utah, including the Color Country and Central mountains, from Saturday afternoon through the evening.
Wildfire danger is increasing, and hazy conditions from wildfire smoke are affecting visibility and air quality.The air quality is impacted by particulate matter and ozone.
Sensitive groups can expect unhealthy air along the Wasatch Front from Box Elder County to Utah County, and in the West Desert. Moderate air quality is expected in other monitored areas.
The heat wave will continue through the first part of the weekend, with more potential for record-breaking temperatures. As the high-pressure ridge shifts east to Colorado, extreme heat will ease slightly, but temperatures will remain above average.
This shift will also bring a more southerly flow, allowing for slight cooling and the return of some moisture. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in southern Utah on Saturday, with better chances for measurable rain and storms moving north by Sunday. This pattern of afternoon showers and thunderstorms will likely continue through midweek.
We’ll keep you up-to-date on the latest developments in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!
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Record-breaking heat ahead again
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Excessive heat warnings in place — hot & hazy
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Excessive Heat warnings through Friday in Southern Utah
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Excessive Heat Warnings for Wasatch Front & West Utah thru Saturday
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Excessive Heat Warnings for Swell & Basin Thursday-Saturday
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Heat Advisory for Eastern Utah Friday — Saturday
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Chance for all-time high temp records — Saturday in Northern utah
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Increasing cloud cover & chance for dry thunderstorms
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Fire Weather Watch — Saturday afternoon
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Moisture uptick Saturday for Southern Utah
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Increasing statewide on Sunday
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Slight chance of thunderstorms early next week
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