In addition to parades, rodeos and fireworks, the upcoming Pioneer Day weekend will feature record-breaking heat.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for much of Utah, and heat advisories for nearly the rest of the state. Dangerous conditions are expected in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Brigham City, Tooele, Wendover and “most valley locations” in the northwest.
After a high near 100 on Friday, the warning will be in effect from 9 a.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Sunday, when temperatures up to 105 are expected. In Salt Lake City, that would break records both days. (The current record for July 22 is 104, set a year ago. The record for July 23 is also 104, set in 2003.)
The all-time high temperature recorded in Salt Lake City is 107. Normal highs for this time of year are in the mid-90s.
And it’s not expected to cool off much at night. According to the weather service, overnight lows will be in the upper 70s and low 80s through Monday.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible on Saturday and Sunday, and the chance of precipitation will increase Monday through Wednesday — though it will still be low.
In southwestern Utah, an excessive heat warning is already in effect and will continue until 9 a.m. Monday. Temperatures are expected to exceed 110 in St. George, Zion National Park and Lake Powell.
The forecast calls for a high of 111 on Saturday in St. George, and 114 on Sunday. That would tie the record for July 22 (set in 2005) and break the July 23 record of 112 (set in 1996). The normal high is 102.
Slightly cooler temperatures are expected on Pioneer Day, but only slightly — 101 in Salt Lake City and 106 in St. George. And that’s about where highs will stay through next week.
