Salt Lake City is starting on the crisp side on Wednesday, with mostly clear skies and about 46°F at Salt Lake City International Airport. Temperatures will climb quickly, with forecasters calling for sunny skies and a high near 70°F. Light southeast winds early in the day should swing around to the northwest by midday, setting up a comfortable afternoon for getting outside, as long as you keep a thin jacket handy for the early chill.
Thursday Showers Could Be Gusty
A weak trough is set to move through northern Utah on Thursday, first bringing a chance of rain showers before mid-morning, then more widespread showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some of those storms could kick out small hail of about 0.5 inch or less, and wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph, with northern valley spots and nearby high terrain most likely to see the stronger cells, according to the National Weather Service. The odds of measurable rain are high across the area, so plan for sudden downpours and brief visibility drops in heavier showers.
Commute And Outdoor Plans
Wednesday’s commute should be smooth, with light winds and dry roads. Thursday is the one to watch: gusty storms could briefly tangle rush hours and make canyon travel tricky for a time. We covered the broader pattern for the week in our Wild Week Ahead roundup, as per Hoodline; consider this your more immediate heads-up about Thursday’s stronger storms.
Weekend Warmup And Memorial Day
Once Thursday’s system moves out, temperatures bounce back in a hurry: highs near 72°F on Friday, around 80°F on Saturday, and into the mid-80s by Sunday. Memorial Day on Monday is expected to be the hottest of the stretch, with highs close to 88°F and dry, sunny weather lining up nicely for holiday plans.
How To Prepare
If you have outdoor plans on Thursday, keep some waterproof cover within reach and secure lightweight patio furniture or decorations, since brief heavy rain and gusty winds are the main issues. For the weekend and Memorial Day, think summer mode: bring water and sunscreen, and check the latest forecast if you are heading into the canyons, where it can still be cooler or briefly unsettled compared to the valley.
