textproduct: Salt Lake City

KEY MESSAGES, Issued 1002 PM MDT Mon Aug 3 2026

- Smoke originating from numerous fires across the Pacific Northwest will remain in the air over much of Utah and southwest Wyoming through at least midweek.

- Highs temperatures will remain below seasonal normals for northern portions of the forecast area through Tuesday. A steady warming trend will follow across the area, bringing the potential for dangerous heat by the weekend.

- Gusty winds and low relative humidity will bring another round of critical fire weather conditions to the San Rafael Swell on Tuesday.

DISCUSSION, Issued 1002 PM MDT Mon Aug 3 2026

The Pacific Northwest trough that brought a dry cold front through northern Utah yesterday is centered over North Dakota this evening, with a very dry west to northwest flow over Utah and southwest Wyoming. Thus, seeing clear skies and generally light winds over much of the area. Highs dropped to up to 5F below seasonal normals over northern Utah, while portions of southern Utah saw another day of very hot temperatures.

The less hot weather will persist for another day Tuesday, with even southern Utah seeing a small amount of relief from the heat. Flow aloft will tend to decrease but should remain elevated enough to bring breezy winds to the San Rafael Swell, combining with the dry airmass to bring another round of critical fire weather conditions.

As high pressure rebuilds along the Pacific coast for the middle of next week and beyond, Utah and southwest Wyoming will see a steady warming trend, most noticeable over northern portions of the forecast area. By this weekend, there will be a high chance of all northern Utah valley locations seeing highs of 100F or more and will need to monitor for an increased threat of heat related illness. Over southern Utah, there is a decent chance that the position of the ridge will allow some monsoon moisture to return northward, which would limit warming and perhaps bring a few afternoon showers and thunderstorms to the higher terrain. Guidance is increasingly showing a more substantial return of monsoon moisture early next week as the center of the ridge moves back to the Four Corners region.

AVIATION, Issued 923 PM MDT Mon Aug 3 2026...KSLC

Minimal operational concerns are forecast for the KSLC terminal through the valid TAF period, with clear skies prevailing. Lingering valley smoke may drop visibility into the MVFR category during the early morning hours, however, this smoke is expected to clear mid- to late-morning if lower visibility materializes. Light northerly winds will prevail over the terminal through at least 05- 06Z before becoming light and variable, then returning to a southerly flow around 10Z. There is a 30% chance that north winds prevail overnight.

REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Breezy northerly winds are anticipated along the West Desert region through the overnight hours with light northerly winds expected across the remainder of the northern half of Utah overnight. Most other areas of Utah and southwest Wyoming are expected to follow light diurnally driven flows with VFR conditions prevailing. That said, area smoke settling into valley areas may bring a reduction in VIS to MVFR thresholds. This smoke is expected to clear by mid- to late-morning on Tuesday, with breezy west to northwest winds prevailing areawide.

FIRE WEATHER

Continued hot and dry enhanced west-northwesterly flow is expected to continue this afternoon across Utah bringing critical fire weather conditions to portions of eastern Utah this afternoon. The threat is enhanced by poor overnight recoveries with humidities currently in the upper teens to 20s with forecast afternoon humidities in the single digits across portions of eastern Utah. Humidities have improved somewhat across northern Utah following the passage of the cold front, though locally critical fire weather conditions may persist statewide given elevated winds this afternoon. High pressure looks to continue building across the region with a warming and drying trend expected to continue into the weekend with dangerous heat developing by Friday.

SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

UT...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for UTZ482-489.

WY...None.