Utah sees more record heat ahead of colder, wetter conditions

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – Happy Tuesday, Utah! Today we will see more potentially record-setting temperatures, but a shift is coming for the second half of the week.

For most of the Beehive state, look for plenty of sunshine and more very warm temperatures. Our high temperatures will once again be about about 10-20° above average for this time of year! Highs will likely warm into the upper 70s to lower 80s across the Wasatch Front and upper 80s across SW Utah. The record high for SLC on Tuesday is 83°, so we will once again be on record watch for the afternoon hours.

Changes begin to develop ahead of our significant storm system on Wednesday as our southwesterly winds will pick up a good bit. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for western Utah Wednesday afternoon and evening as dry air and gusty winds up to 35 mph — combined with dry vegetation — could make for some risky fire conditions across western Utah.

Wednesday night into Thursday morning, the first surge of much cooler weather is expected with temperatures dropping 5° in southern Utah and up to 20° in northern Utah. The first wave of cooler air could bring some rain showers to northern Utah, and this wave will mainly be rain with snow levels likely remaining above 9,000 feet.

Even bigger changes develop Friday morning as the main storm system arrives, pushing widespread rain and snow across Utah.

Cold air will drop snow levels down to around 5,000-6,000 feet, bringing the chance for accumulating snow to the mountain valleys and high benches. The depth of the cold air is still a bit in question, meaning snow levels could go as low as valley floors or stay higher up depending on the intensity of the storm system.

The storm is expected to stall to the south of the state and could possibly move north into Utah again over the weekend. Of course, location and weekend weather conditions are subject to change depending on the storm track.

Either way, we have some big changes on the way to the Beehive state later this week, and it’s best to stay 4Warned with the latest updates on air and online.

Quick Summary:

• Staying warm through Wednesday
• Elevated to Critical fire risk Wednesday from gusty winds
• Big temperature drop for the end of week
• Valley rain and mountain snow likely
• Snow levels low as 5,000-6,000 feet Friday morning
• Temps plummet into the 30’s in valleys Friday and Saturday morning.
• Moisture could linger over the weekend with slight rebound in temps .

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