Salt Lake City(ABC4) — Happy weekend, Utah! A weak disturbance is moving through Utah today, not ruling out the possibility of a few showers and thunderstorms, with lingering moisture that could be very beneficial for northern Utah.
Dry air from the south should end the storm, but strong southwesterly winds could create severe fire weather conditions. This weekend, seasonal temperatures on the Wasatch Front are expected to be in the 90s on Saturday and Sunday, while St. George is not far off from the 102-degree average for this time of year. Lower Washington counties are expected to experience triple-digit low temperatures over the weekend, along with gusty winds.
Isolated storms are possible overnight as a cold front is followed by a trailing disturbance, so portions of northern Utah and the Wasatch Front will face a “marginal” risk of isolated severe thunderstorms, with the main threat being gusty winds. Severe thunderstorms may bring heavy lightning, wind gusts in excess of 58 mph and large hail. As dry air moves into southwestern Utah, the risk of flash flooding decreases in areas like Zion and Capitol Reef National Parks, but is still possible further east in places like the Grand Canyon, San Rafael Surge and Natural Bridges Flash flood.
Fire danger is rising in several areas of the state as strong southwesterly winds return. Severe fire weather conditions will occur across much of central and southern Utah. A red flag warning is in effect for southwestern Utah, the Color Country Mountains, the Central Mountains, Castle Country and the Western Desert at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday due to the possibility of wind gusts up to 35 mph and very low relative humidity .
Dry weather will hit the region on Sunday, with highs near normal. Ridges in the area will rebuild early next week and temperatures will return to above normal by midweek. Moisture may try to return to areas of southern Utah by midweek, which may increase the chance of afternoon thunderstorms in southern Utah.
Bottom line? Lingering moisture in northern Utah will lead to isolated thunderstorms as dry air moves into southern Utah.
We will update you on the latest 4Warn weather forecast live and online, we are Good4Utah!
