Isolated storms expected for parts of northern and central Utah, with fire danger concerns this weekend

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Happy Friday, Utah! A drier air mass moves in from the southwest today, but there will still be enough lingering moisture for isolated thunderstorms.

As we close out the work week, we are seeing temperatures return to normal as our ridge of high pressure begins to move southeast. Daytime highs will be in the mid-90s along the Wasatch Front with more triple-digit temperatures for St. George.

Isolated storms will be possible Friday afternoon and evening, and we will have a ‘Marginal’ risk of isolated severe thunderstorms for parts of the West Desert Utah — including portions of the Wasatch Front — with the primary threat being strong wind gusts.

Severe thunderstorms can bring an abundance of lightning, wind gusts of 58+ mph, and large hail.

St. George only has a slight chance of a storm later today, and a flash flood risk is still possible for many locations including our National Parks, with the exception of Zion National Park where we should see drier conditions.

Another weak disturbance arrives on Saturday, bringing a few showers and thunderstorms to northern Utah. Drier air in the south should end the storms, but strong southwesterly winds could create critical fire weather conditions.

A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon for portions of Central and Southern Utah due to the potential of gusty winds up to 35 mph and very low relative humidity.

Sunday will be dry across the region with highs near normal. The ridge will rebuild over the area early next week with a rebound to above-normal temperatures through midweek. Moisture may try to return to areas of southern Utah by midweek, potentially increasing chances of afternoon thunderstorms for southern Utah.

We’ll keep you posted on the latest updates in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!

• The dry streak is over!
• Flash flooding for S. Utah possible, except for Zion NP
• Seasonal temps into weekend
• Weak disturbance Saturday brings chance of isolated storms (high terrain favored)
• Breezy winds develop Saturday & Sunday
• Fire Weather Watch for bulk of S. Utah for the weekend
• Drier air arrives for Sunday
• Heating up next week again

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.