Salt Lake City is kicking off Thursday under crystal-clear skies and a cool 41°F at Salt Lake City International, with the valley forecast to warm into the upper 60s under bright sunshine. The calm, mild setup will not last in the higher terrain, where winds are set to crank up later in the day.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
By Thursday afternoon, winds will be on the move. Valley gusts are expected around 20 to 25 mph, while mountain gusts across the northern Wasatch and western Uintas could top 50 mph. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for those mountain zones from noon to 9 p.m. MDT, urging people to secure loose outdoor items and use extra caution driving in canyon or ridge areas where sudden gusts can make high-profile vehicles unstable, according to the National Weather Service.
Weekend Outlook
A cold front will slide through Saturday, bringing about a 30% chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms after midday, along with a bump in northwest winds into the evening. Saturday's high is expected to be near 64°F, with temperatures dropping to around 35°F Saturday night. Readings dip back toward normal on Sunday before an unusually strong ridge builds in early next week, sending highs into the 70s by Tuesday and the upper 70s by Wednesday, per the National Weather Service.
What This Means For You
Most valley plans look good, with downtown Salt Lake staying sunny and comfortable, but mountain recreation and canyon driving will be the big weather-sensitive activities on Thursday and again on Saturday. Salt Lake City International is expected to remain VFR, although west-northwest gusts near 20 knots are possible in the afternoon. Airline passengers should keep an eye on flight status, and canyon commuters may want to allow a little extra time. Staying tuned to National Weather Service updates and tying down loose gear in wind-exposed neighborhoods would not be a bad idea.
