Salt Lake City started hot and bone-dry on Saturday, June 20, with clear skies and temperatures already sitting in the low 80s early in the day. By afternoon, readings are expected to climb near 90°F as south-southeast breezes push valley highs into the upper 80s to around 90°F, with very little cooldown after sunset. That mix of heat, gusty winds, and very low humidity has parts of Utah on alert today.
Afternoon Storms Bring Dry Lightning Risk
Isolated thunderstorms are possible Saturday afternoon and evening, mainly after 3 p.m., across northern Utah and along the Utah–Idaho border. Most of these storms are expected to be high-based and produce little measurable rain. Strong outflow winds from any storm could top 50 mph, and dry lightning could spark new fires, according to the National Weather Service Salt Lake City.
Fire Weather Watch And Red Flag Areas
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch from 2 p.m. MDT this afternoon through the evening for parts of southern and eastern Utah, while Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for several central and southern zones where gusty southwest winds and single-digit humidity are creating critical fire conditions. For background on the ongoing pattern and where to cool off, see our June 17 Hoodline update on the heat-and-wind pattern and local cooling options.
What This Means For Your Plans
Your safest bet for travel is in the morning, before the atmosphere gets restless. By late afternoon, expect a bumpier commute as winds pick up and isolated storm cells pop up. Outdoor events should have a quick backup plan for sudden strong winds or lightning. Temperatures dip only slightly on Sunday before high pressure rebuilds and sends valley highs into the mid-to-upper 90s by Tuesday and Wednesday (June 23–24), raising the risk of heat-related illness for more vulnerable people.
Safety Tips
Try to knock out outdoor chores in the morning, secure loose items in your yard, and hold off on any open burning while Fire Weather Watches or Red Flag Warnings are active. If you have health concerns in this kind of heat, use county cooling centers where available and keep an eye on local emergency pages for the latest updates and any burn restrictions.
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