Salt Lake City woke up under grey skies and cool air on Tuesday, sitting near 55°F with a damp, unsettled vibe that will stick around for much of the day. Forecasters expect showers and thunderstorms to fire up this afternoon, with temperatures topping out near 68°F before dropping into the low 40s overnight. Any storms could pack brief heavy downpours and gusty outflow winds strong enough to knock down small branches or trigger short power flickers. The good news, for those already over the chill, is that a clearing and warming trend is set to move in later this week as high pressure builds.
Afternoon Storms And Gusty Winds
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread right around the afternoon commute. The National Weather Service pegs the chance of precipitation near 70% and cautions that isolated storms could unleash gusty, erratic outflow winds. Short bursts of heavy rain may quickly cut visibility and lead to brief ponding in low-lying spots. If you are planning to be outdoors later today, have a quick exit plan to get under shelter from lightning and sudden wind shifts.
Plan The Commute And Outdoor Plans
Travel could get messy during the heavier showers, with reduced visibility, slick canyon ramps and possible short delays at Salt Lake City International. Build in some extra time for afternoon trips. Outdoor workers and anyone scheduling hikes, practices or yard projects should be ready to pause activity if lightning or strong gusts roll through. This unsettled stretch is not entirely out of the blue, following a similar pattern earlier in the month, highlighted in thunder, chill and late-day sun Hoodline coverage.
Warm And Dry By Later This Week
By Thursday, high pressure is expected to park over the region, bringing a drier and warmer setup. According to the National Weather Service, highs should climb into the mid-70s on Thursday and could reach the low 80s by early next week. Wednesday looks like a short breather in between, with sunshine and a cooler high near 62°F. For weekend planners, Thursday through Sunday currently points to milder, mostly sunny conditions.
Quick checklist for today: throw a compact umbrella in your bag, secure any loose items in the yard and give yourself a little extra time if you are driving canyon routes this afternoon. Updates will follow if the NWS issues any watches or warnings.
