Record-breaking heat Thursday, followed by below average temperatures this weekend

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Happy Thursday, Utah! It’s a sunny and windy afternoon around the region. Temperatures continue to climb into record territory across the Wasatch Front. This will be the hottest conditions of the year so far, and triple digits are on deck for the Wasatch Front.

A Heat Advisory is in effect for portions of northern Utah, including the Wasatch Front from Ogden down through Provo and Box Elder and Tooele counties for Thursday afternoon. A Heat Advisory is also in effect for portions of SE Utah later Thursday afternoon. A new record high will be possible for many northern locations, with the old record of 101° for SLC in jeopardy. Most places will rise into the upper 90s and low 100s, but lower Washington County is slated to get close to the 110.

Things begin to cool off on Friday, but will still be within a few degrees of records. Highs will be in the mid to upper 90s for most and low to mid 100s for hot spots. There is light at the end of the tunnel! This weekend temperatures will drop back down to more seasonal weather with 80s and 90s expected, but by Sunday, we’re looking at highs in the 70s for most, and upper 80s to low 90s for hot spots.

Winds will pick up on Thursday and Friday, which is awful news for fire conditions. A Red Flag Warning goes into effect Thursday at noon for a huge chunk of the state, engulfing all of western Utah and most of the east. Southwest wind gusts could get up to 35 mph with humidity low as 5%, which makes for critical fire conditions. There is no rain in sight, so vegetation will continue drying out. Looks like the gusty winds and an increased fire danger will spread across Utah from west to east from Thursday through Saturday. Things improve a bit across northern and western Utah on Sunday, but remain elevated across the eastern half of the state. Use extreme caution while recreating, and avoid outside burning at all costs.

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