Salt Lake City woke up clear and on the chilly side this morning, with temperatures hovering near 45°F. That cool start will not last long. On Monday, April 6, look for mostly sunny skies and a quick warm-up to a high near 72°F. The Salt Lake Valley itself is expected to stay dry, while forecasters flag a risk of high-based showers or dry thunderstorms over southern and central Utah later this afternoon, with lightning and strong outflow winds possible. Things turn more active from late Wednesday into the weekend, with a better shot at valley rain by Thursday night into Friday.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Scattered, high-based storms developing across southern and central Utah on Monday afternoon may kick out sudden, gusty outflow winds in the 40–50 mph range and frequent lightning, according to the National Weather Service. Most valley neighborhoods around Salt Lake City are not expected to see severe storms, but lower-elevation foothills and downwind communities could get brief, erratic blasts strong enough to flip lightweight patio furniture or send trash bins rolling down the street. If you live or work south of Salt Lake County, it is worth keeping one eye on the sky and another on radar this afternoon as localized storm cells pop up.
What To Expect This Week
Temperatures climb through Tuesday with highs in the low 70s before a transient ridge flattens out around midweek. A trough and a cutoff low are then set to shove more moisture into the region on Thursday and Friday, boosting rain and thunder chances across much of Utah. The timing and punch of storm rounds heading into the weekend are still uncertain, so anyone planning outdoor events from April 9–12 should build in a weather backup plan. For the latest road conditions and any traffic advisories during wet or windy periods, keep tabs on UDOT Traffic.
Outdoors And Safety
Secure loose outdoor items ahead of any storms and skip sheltering under isolated trees when thunder is in the area. Lightning can tag along with even brief, high-based cells. Hikers and campers should know their escape routes off exposed ridgelines and be ready to move quickly into a sturdy building or vehicle if storms approach. Before heading out, check the National Weather Service forecast for any updated watches or warnings.
