By Friday morning, July 17, Salt Lake City was waking up under mostly clear skies and a sticky start, with temperatures hovering around 79°F at Salt Lake City International Airport. That relatively calm scene will not stick around for long. The valley is expected to heat into the mid‑90s with a high near 96°F, and incoming monsoon moisture will keep humidity on the high side. Scattered showers and a growing chance of thunderstorms after noon could briefly throw afternoon plans and the evening commute into chaos.
Afternoon Storms And Flood Risk
Forecasters are calling for about a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon, with storms flaring up over the mountains before drifting into adjacent valleys through the late afternoon and evening. These cells can drop brief, heavy downpours, kick up erratic outflow gusts and quickly knock down visibility. They can also trigger rapid runoff in narrow washes and burn‑scar terrain. According to the National Weather Service, a flash‑flood threat is on the table for parts of southern Utah this afternoon and evening.
Heat And Short-Term Outlook
The warm, muggy pattern is expected to hang on through the weekend and into early next week, with valley highs sticking in the mid‑to‑upper 90s and another warm peak near the upper 90s early next week. For more background on the ongoing heat trend, see the background on the ongoing heat trend, as per Hoodline.
Evening Commute And Safety Tips
If you have evening plans, it is a good idea to build in some extra time for slow traffic, sudden downpours and gusty, unpredictable outflow winds from nearby storms. Never drive through standing water, and steer clear of slot canyons or normally dry washes in southern Utah when thunderstorms are in the area. Salt Lake County maintains a list of public cooling centers and heat‑safety guidance for residents. Check the county site for current locations and hours at Salt Lake County.
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