SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — Happy Columbus Day, Utah! Today will be about as warm as yesterday with temperatures still 10-15 degrees above seasonal norms. Most valleys will be in the low 80s with a few upper 70s, higher elevations will top out in the low to mid 70s, and hot spots will see upper 80s to low 90s. Conditions stay dry as well with only a few clouds spawning here and there and the occasional light afternoon mountain shower.
This pattern stays consistent through Tuesday, but major changes start by midweek. On Wednesday a strong cold front will be approaching from the northwest bringing warm gusty southerly winds ahead of it, bumping highs up slightly — the “warm before the storm.” The dry conditions, heat, and gusty winds are recipes for an elevated fire risk. We already have several active fires, including the Yellow Lake Fire which has ballooned to over 30,000 acres making it the largest of the year. Keep your eyes peeled for Red Flag Warnings as we near Wednesday. As the cold front ushers in more moisture through the north on Wednesday evening we’ll have an increase in cloud coverage.