Near record heat builds across Utah ahead of cooldown

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – Happy Thursday, Utah! The heat is on across the Beehive State for the next few days with cooler weather forecasted to set in Sunday.

A strong ridge of high pressure will be building in over the next few days, allowing for well above-average temperatures to surge north.

Temperatures will come close to some daily records both Thursday and Friday afternoon. We’re looking at mostly sunny skies with temps surging into the upper 70s to near 80 across the Wasatch Front, with highs warming to near 90° in St. George for our Thursday afternoon.

The previous record high for Thursday in Salt Lake is 81° for the day, while the previous record for St. George is 92°. We will likely be within a few degrees of those numbers.

Friday will feature another day of above-average temperatures. The latest data is pointing at a southwest flow taking over on Friday which could likely add a degree or two on Friday afternoon.

This means highs climbing into the lower 80s along the Wasatch Front, with highs reaching the lower 90s for St. George. The previous record for Salt Lake for Friday is 83° and St. George is 94°.  We will once again be within a few degrees of record highs on Friday afternoon. The sun will also hang around throughout our Friday afternoon.

We will be tracking some changes for the upcoming weekend. Saturday will feature increasing clouds during the day with slightly cooler temperatures across northern Utah.

Highs along the Wasatch Front will fall back into the low to mid-70s meanwhile southwest Utah will stay on the very warm side with temperatures warming to near 90°. A weak front will move through northern Utah Saturday evening bringing a slight chance for a few very isolated showers.

Right now, the chances are not good for much in the way of measurable precipitation. Winds will switch from out of the southwest to northwest leading to a big cool down on Sunday. Highs on Sunday afternoon will only be in the mid-50s.

Across southern Utah, the front will not move through until Sunday morning but should come through on the dry side. Temperatures will from the low 90s in southwest Utah into the low 80s by Sunday afternoon.

Next week will feature mainly dry conditions and after a brief cool down, look for moderating temps. Highs will warm back into the 60s & 70s across the Wasatch Front with highs in the mid to upper 80s for SW Utah.

We’ll keep you posted on the latest information in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!

• Building heat ridge
• First 80 & 90 degree days ahead
• Peak warmth Friday in N & S Utah
• Increasing Winds Saturday
• Much cooler Sunday behind front
• Isolated shower potential Sat & into Sun AM
• Moderating temps next week