Salt Lake City, Utah – Bright sunshine fills the Wasatch Front this morning, but towering clouds could build over the mountains before the day is done. The dry start won’t tell the whole story as summer heat and scattered thunderstorms combine to create changing conditions through early next week.
Northern Utah is heading into a warmer stretch with afternoon highs climbing toward the upper 90s while daily thunderstorm chances remain in the picture across the Wasatch Front and nearby mountains.
According to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, today’s weather features mostly sunny skies with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after the afternoon, reaching a high near 93 degrees. Temperatures continue rising to 97 degrees Sunday and 99 degrees Monday before easing slightly to 96 degrees Tuesday.
The heat will be the dominant story, but residents should not ignore developing afternoon storms. Even isolated thunderstorms can produce cloud-to-ground lightning, brief heavy rain, gusty outflow winds, and rapidly changing conditions. Anyone hiking in the Wasatch Range or spending time outdoors should plan to head to lower elevations if thunder develops.
Motorists along Interstate 15, Interstate 80, Interstate 215, and U.S. 89 could encounter brief visibility reductions and slick pavement beneath stronger showers. While widespread flooding is not expected, isolated downpours can create localized ponding on roads. Tornado potential remains very low, but lightning remains the greatest hazard with any afternoon storm.
Meteorologists continue monitoring a pattern that favors daily thunderstorm development through much of the coming week. Storm coverage may increase Monday and Tuesday as additional moisture moves into northern Utah, bringing more opportunities for scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours.
Stay hydrated during the hottest part of the day, wear lightweight clothing, and schedule strenuous outdoor work during the morning whenever possible. If thunder roars, move indoors immediately and wait until storms pass before returning outside.
Long-range outlooks continue to favor above-normal temperatures during the 6-to-10-day period, meaning the overall summer pattern is expected to continue despite periodic cooling from afternoon thunderstorms.
Five-Day Forecast for Salt Lake City, Utah
- Today: Mostly sunny with a 20% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. High 93°F.
- Sunday: Sunny, then a 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. High 97°F.
- Monday: Mostly sunny with a 40% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. High 99°F.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny with showers and thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. High 96°F.
- Wednesday: Slight chance of morning showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. High 93°F.
