Salt Lake City Sizzles: Heat Peaks Near 97 Before Stormy Weekend Cooldown

Salt Lake City is starting Wednesday clear and around 72 degrees, but the valley is headed for another hot afternoon before a much cooler, stormier weekend. Temperatures will climb to about 95 degrees today and 97 degrees Thursday, with mostly sunny skies and generally light winds for now.

The National Weather Service says the warm spell will peak Thursday before the pattern turns more active. Friday should still reach about 93 degrees, but showers and thunderstorms become more likely Friday night and could linger into early next week.

Heat Holds Through Thursday

Wednesday afternoon will be mostly sunny, with temperatures rising through the 80s before topping out near 95 degrees. Winds should stay light, generally around 5 mph, though the direction may shift during the day.

Thursday will be the hottest day in the immediate forecast, with a high near 97 degrees and a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms between noon and 3 p.m. Thursday night brings another slight storm chance, along with patchy smoke before 9 p.m. and a low around 70.

Weekend Storms Bring A Sharp Cooldown

Friday will turn partly sunny and cooler, with a high near 93 degrees, before a 37% chance of showers and thunderstorms arrives overnight. By Saturday, the high should fall to about 83 degrees, while showers and thunderstorms are likely throughout the day and night.

The weather service's forecast discussion warns that the more widespread storms developing Friday into the weekend could produce heavy rain and raise flash-flooding concerns in parts of the region. Saturday's rain chance is about 70%, and the overnight low could drop to 61 degrees.

Sunday will remain unsettled, with a chance of morning showers followed by possible afternoon thunderstorms and a high near 83 degrees. Monday and Tuesday rebound slightly into the mid-80s, but each day still carries at least a small chance of afternoon storms.

No Watches Or Warnings In Effect

No watches, warnings or advisories are posted for Utah or southwest Wyoming in the current forecast. With heat building through Thursday and storms becoming more likely later in the week, residents should plan strenuous outdoor activity for cooler hours and move indoors quickly if thunder develops.