Salt Lake City is starting Saturday clear and near 77 degrees, but the calm morning is giving way to a dangerous afternoon. Temperatures are expected to surge to about 104 degrees, with patchy smoke arriving after 3 p.m. and little relief overnight.
An Extreme Heat Warning takes effect at noon Saturday and remains in place through 9 p.m. Sunday for the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding parts of northern Utah, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters say highs could reach 105 degrees in some locations, while overnight lows in the 70s will keep homes and bodies from cooling down much.
Smoke Arrives As Temperatures Peak
Saturday afternoon should stay sunny and dry before patchy smoke spreads across the valley. The forecast calls for a low near 77 degrees Saturday night, followed by a mostly sunny Sunday with more smoke and a high around 101.
Residents should limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of fluids, and make sure children, older adults, pets, and neighbors have access to a cool place. The National Weather Service also warns that vehicles can become lethal for children and pets within minutes, even during a brief stop.
Brief Cooldown Before Heat Rebounds
A dry front moving through Sunday night into Monday should bring a short-lived break, with highs near 95 degrees Monday and 94 Tuesday. The heat then builds again, reaching about 99 Wednesday, 102 Thursday and 101 Friday.
The latest warning follows another stretch of triple-digit Salt Lake Valley heat covered by Hoodline in July, but this weekend's combination of extreme heat, warm nights and smoke brings another serious test for outdoor plans and cooling systems.
