textproduct: Salt Lake City

KEY MESSAGES

- Record to near-record temperatures are expected again Wednesday.

- A frontal passage Wednesday into Thursday will result in a brief cooldown across northern and central Utah through Friday.

- Chances for measurable precipitation return to the region as early as Sunday.

DISCUSSION

As a stout high pressure ridge lingers across the western US, extremely anomalous temperatures are expected to continue through Wednesday. Highs once again soar around 25 degrees above average in most locations across Utah and southwest Wyoming, which will challenge daily temperature records. The temperature in Salt Lake City will even rival the previous all- time high March temperature of 84 degrees... set only three days ago on March 21st. Current guidance suggests a 35% chance to meet or exceed 84 degrees at KSLC on Wednesday. This anomalous heat will be aided by increased warm, southwesterly flow across the area ahead of an approaching upper-level low. Gusty southwest winds are expected to develop areawide Wednesday afternoon, with strongest gusts of 25-30 mph expected across southwest Utah and portions of the West Desert.

A cold front associated with the aforementioned low is expected to pass through the region late Wednesday into Thursday morning. While this front will be mainly dry, some virga showers are expected across northern Utah along the frontal boundary. Light rain may be observed in isolated stronger cells that develop through the evening. Any shower activity is expected to taper early Thursday morning. A slight cooldown mainly across northern Utah is expected through Friday as post- frontal northwesterly winds prevail across the area, though temperatures will still run around 10 degrees above average.

A shift in the pattern may arrive as early as Sunday, with 75% of ensemble members on board for the development of a trough across the northern Pacific to finally break down the persistent ridge. There is still considerable uncertainty early next week on when or if this trough will move inland. Regardless, some flavor of cooling is expected next week, with better potential for accumulating precipitation.

REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING

Little change to the ongoing pattern as high pressure remains in control. Some high clouds will filter in overhead at northern terminals tonight, but VFR conditions prevail areawide. Winds will tend to follow a diurnally normal pattern, with some modest gusts mixing in at higher elevations and exposed terminals (e.g. EVW/CDC) Wednesday afternoon.

SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

UT...None. WY...Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 PM MDT Wednesday for WYZ277.