Clear skies and temperatures near 70 degrees greeted Salt Lake City early Thursday, July 30, with winds around 33 mph at Salt Lake City International Airport. Those winds should ease as the day warms, but the bigger story is a weekend heat surge that will push valley temperatures well into the triple digits.
Friday Starts The Triple-Digit Run
Thursday will be sunny with a high near 98 degrees, followed by 102 on Friday, July 31. Saturday, August 1, is forecast to reach 105, while Sunday could top out near 104 under mostly sunny skies and virtually no chance of rain.
Overnight temperatures will offer limited relief, with lows around 71 degrees Thursday night, 73 Friday night and 77 Saturday night. Even Monday’s brief dip to about 99 degrees will still feel firmly hot before temperatures rebound to roughly 102 by Wednesday.
Extreme Heat Watch Covers Saturday And Sunday
The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening, when dangerously hot conditions are expected across the Salt Lake Valley and other parts of northern Utah. The National Weather Service warns that heat-related illness becomes significantly more likely during extreme heat, especially for older adults, young children, people working outdoors, and anyone without reliable cooling.
Dry Air Could Raise Fire Weather Concerns
The forecast dries out sharply after Thursday, with afternoon humidity expected to fall into the single digits in many Utah valleys by the weekend. The weather service also says southwest winds could increase Sunday and Monday, raising fire-weather concerns in parts of western and southwestern Utah even as rain chances remain close to zero around Salt Lake City.
Where To Cool Off
Salt Lake County maintains a directory of public Cool Zones for residents who need a break from the heat. The county says the Weigand Center at 437 W 200 S in Salt Lake City is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; its Cool Zones page lists additional locations and operating hours.
For the hottest afternoon hours, officials recommend drinking plenty of water, staying in air conditioning or shade when possible, checking on vulnerable neighbors and relatives, and never leaving children or pets in a parked vehicle. Car interiors can become lethal within minutes, even when the vehicle is parked briefly.
