Salt Lake City starts Thursday, May 28, under clear skies and a mild morning in the upper 50s to low 60s. By this afternoon, though, the valley is expected to heat up into the mid to upper 80s with a steady southeast breeze. The warmest spots will be in the lower elevations and along the Wasatch Front as winds pick up through the day.
Afternoon Winds And Fire Weather
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for parts of south-central and southeast Utah through 9 p.m. MDT Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Gusty south winds and very low humidity are coming together to create critical fire weather conditions.
Local officials are reminding residents that open burning is off the table in much of Salt Lake County, per the Unified Fire Authority. Gusts of 25 to 40 mph are possible in exposed corridors and on ridgetops, so it is a good idea to secure loose outdoor items and hold off on cutting, welding, or burning until conditions calm down.
Weekend Cooldown And On-And-Off Showers
A broad area of low pressure will slide across Utah Friday into Saturday, bringing cooler, more unsettled weather with scattered showers and thunderstorms that will initially favor the southern high terrain on Friday before shifting north overnight into Saturday. Friday's high should top out in the upper 70s with isolated to scattered afternoon storms. Rain and storm chances climb into the 50 to 60 percent range Friday night into Saturday as valley highs dip into the low 70s.
Sunday looks a bit more cooperative, with drier conditions and highs in the low to mid 70s, before temperatures bounce back into the 80s early next week.
Plan Ahead
Today, secure patio furniture and outdoor gear so they do not turn into unintended projectiles, and postpone nonessential yard burns or hot work until the winds ease. Try to schedule strenuous outdoor activity for the morning or evening when temperatures and winds are both a little friendlier.
If you have outdoor events lined up for Friday or Saturday, plan for hit-or-miss showers and brief gusty winds that could complicate setup. Bring covers, have a backup plan, and check the latest conditions before heading out. For background on the broader pattern, see this look at sizzling temps and whipping winds, as per Hoodline.
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