Significant cooldown coming to Utah for the weekend

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – Happy Friday, Utah! We survived the hottest day of the year so far on Thursday with record-setting heat. Salt Lake City hit a sweltering 104 degrees, setting a new record high for the date and marking the first triple-digit reading of 2025.

And across much of Utah, it wasn’t much better. Lower elevation valleys saw widespread highs in the 90s and low 100s, making for an early taste of serious summer heat.

Friday brings a small bit of relief, but it’ll still be hot. Temperatures will run a few degrees cooler than Thursday, but many spots along the Wasatch Front will remain in the upper 90s. The dry air and gusty southwesterly winds won’t be letting up just yet either, which keeps fire danger high.

Bottom Line?! Heat hangs on Friday with strong winds and critical fire weather.

Red Flag Warnings are still in place across many areas as that critical mix of heat, low humidity, and wind continues to ramp up through Friday afternoon. The breeze may actually get a little stronger compared to Thursday as a dry cold front approaches from the northwest.

By Friday night into Saturday morning, that front will begin sweeping into the state.  Where it’s a dry front, don’t expect any rain with it, but you will notice a quick wind shift and a sudden drop in temperatures behind it.

Northern Utah will feel it first, with a much cooler day shaping up for Saturday. Highs will tumble 20 to 30 degrees in some areas compared to what we just saw, and Sunday morning lows will be downright chilly for late June, dropping into the 40s for many valleys.

As the front continues pushing southward, central and southern Utah will get in on the cooler air by Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Winds will likely peak in these areas on Saturday, with gusts nearing 50 mph possible. The dry, gusty combo keeps fire weather concerns front and center through the day with Red Flag Warnings set to expire late Saturday night.

Sunday will be a much calmer day with lighter winds and below-average temperatures. Enjoy the cool air while it’s in place! High pressure will likely settle back in, and temperatures will begin a gradual climb back to more typical June levels by midweek.  

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