Salt Lake City woke up Friday to clear, dry skies and comfortably warm mid‑70s, but the easy start will not last. The air stays very dry, afternoon highs are expected to climb to around 96°F, and strong southerly winds will turn outdoor plans into a bit of a battle with the breeze.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Temperatures will ramp up quickly through late morning and early afternoon, jumping from the 70s into the low to mid‑90s by mid‑afternoon, with a peak near 96°F. South winds are forecast to increase to 13 to 17 mph, with valley gusts up to 33 mph and stronger gusts, around 40 to 50 mph, in the mountains. Those conditions are feeding widespread critical fire weather and active Red Flag Warnings.
According to the National Weather Service Salt Lake City, residents should skip any open burning, tie down or bring in loose outdoor items, and stay alert for sudden changes in wind that could quickly spread any spark. In short, this is a day to think twice before firing up anything that throws off embers.
Fire Restrictions And What To Do
Open burning and backyard bonfires should be put on hold while Red Flag Warnings and wind advisories remain in effect, and many public‑land managers have already tightened restrictions. On June 25, Gov. Spencer J. Cox issued temporary statewide fireworks restrictions through July 5 to cut down on human‑caused ignitions. Local agencies are also urging people to postpone nonessential outdoor work during the windiest parts of the day.
If you spot smoke or an active fire, call 911 immediately and follow instructions from fire and law‑enforcement officials. Do not assume someone else has reported it, and do not try to play firefighter yourself.
Tonight And Weekend Outlook
By Friday evening, patchy blowing dust is possible before 9 p.m., followed by a slight chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms overnight into Saturday morning, mainly across the mountains and foothills. Saturday brings a noticeable cooldown, with a high near 82°F and about a 20 to 30 percent chance of afternoon storms.
Sunday looks much cooler for the northern valleys, with highs around 67°F and a higher chance of showers. If you have weekend plans in the hills or around the city, keep checking forecast updates so you are not caught off guard by changing weather.
Legal Implications
The governor’s executive action gives the state forester and local officials authority to prohibit fireworks in high‑risk areas, and violating those orders can lead to fines or other penalties. Before lighting any fireworks or doing open burning, residents should review local municipal rules and official emergency pages to make sure they are not accidentally breaking the law, along with the fire code.
