The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for a large swath of Utah, including Salt Lake City, until midnight Thursday.
Daytime temperatures are expected to reach between 102 and 104 degrees. Overnight, temperatures will only cool to the mid-70s at the lowest.
The National Weather Service advises that those living in northwestern Utah stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activities and wear light clothing.
(National Weather Service) An excessive heat warning will be in effect from noon Tuesday until midnight Thursday.
The excessive heat warning covers most of Box Elder and Tooele counties, as well as the Salt Lake Valley, Ogden and Farmington. There is also a heat advisory in effect for Utah County.
The scorching heat arrives as fire agencies are battling several wildfires across the state and two-thirds of Utah is suffering from extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“With temperatures continuing to hover in the triple-digits all week, and no rain in sight, we desperately need every Utahn to act responsibly when it comes to fire prevention,” said Gov. Spencer Cox during a fire safety news conference in Tooele County on Monday.
Cox reported that the 26 fires started over the weekend have burned 13,000 acres so far.
Logan, Park City will be sweltering too
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) A swimmer cools off in the pool at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex on Friday, July 8, 2022.
Even parts of Utah where temperatures are generally somewhat cooler won’t escape the heat over the next few days. In Logan, highs of 97-99 are expected through Monday, and in Park City, the forecast calls for highs of about 90 through Monday.
The heat will “significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses,” particularly for those working or recreating outside. The National Weather Service advises people to check on relatives and neighbors, adding, “Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.”
Even after the heat warning expires, there’s no real relief in the forecast. Temperatures near 100 are expected Thursday-Monday in the Salt Lake City area, with a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Flash flooding possible in national parks, monuments
Thunderstorms are also possible across southern and eastern Utah this week, and there could be flash flooding Wednesday in all of Utah’s national parks and monuments.
Flash flooding is considered “probable” Wednesday in Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Natural Bridges and San Rafael Swell; flash flooding is considered “possible” Wednesday in Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Glen Canyon, Grand Gulch and Zion.
It will also be extremely hot in southern Utah. The forecast for St. George is 105 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday; 106 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and 107 on Monday. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid-80s.
It’ll be 100-103 degrees in Moab through Monday, with overnight lows in the low to mid-70s.
