957
FXUS65 KSLC 030429
AFDSLC

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1029 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Increasing winds Thursday brings the threat for elevated to
  locally critical fire weather conditions where fuels are
  critically dry.

- As temperatures climb through Saturday, the threat for heat-
  related illness increases for those who are sensitive to heat,
  without adequate cooling or hydration, or have chronic health
  conditions.

- Gusty southwesterly winds develop areawide Saturday and Sunday,
  resulting in more widespread critical fire weather conditions.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Generally benign weather is expected through
Wednesday as our region remains under the influence of a broad
ridge along the west coast. Temperatures warm further tomorrow,
with highs approaching or breaking into the 90s for most valleys
and the 100s for lower Washington County.

This gradual heating is moderated across northern Utah on Thursday
as a weak shortwave brushes by to the north. Models have trended
this wave a bit farther north with more west-to-northwest flow
aloft, which has resulted in winds trending down a bit over
southern Utah and up across portions of eastern Utah, including
the Uinta Basin. Specifically for the western Uinta Basin, there
is a 40-60% chance for winds in excess of 25 mph through the
evening.

Heat maximizes across Utah and southwest Wyoming Friday and
Saturday as southwesterly flow increases across the region in
response to a trough deepening into the Pacific Northwest. Highs
during this period will top out around 10-12 degrees above
seasonal averages. Widespread Moderate to locally Major HeatRisk
is expected for most valley locations during this period,
meaning those sensitive to heat should take extra care to avoid
heat illness.

As the trough digs further south Saturday into Sunday, strong
southwesterly winds are expected to develop areawide by Saturday
afternoon. Current guidance suggests a 20-30% chance for portions
of western Utah to see gusts exceeding 45 mph late Saturday as
flow aloft maximizes over the area. Gusty winds continue into
the first half of Sunday, then gradually taper off as the system
lifts northward through the remainder of the day. Cooler
temperatures will remain behind this system on Sunday, with highs
trending around 5-10 degrees cooler.

&&

.AVIATION...KSLC...Benign weather persists with VFR conditions and
mixed cloud cover roughly above 10 kft expected. Winds remain light
(less than 10 kts) and follow a typical diurnal pattern with SE
winds overnight shifting NW between around 17Z to 19Z Wed.

.REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...No significant weather
expected at area terminals. VFR conditions are expected to prevail
with some clouds filtering through above 10 kft or so. Winds at most
terminals will be fairly light (less than 15 kts), with some modest
gusts expected at typically gusty or exposed locations (e.g.
EVW/CDC). Directions anticipated to follow a diurnally normal
pattern.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Very dry conditions will remain in place across
the state through at least this weekend, especially across
southern Utah where overnight recoveries will be extremely poor.
Concerns for elevated to potentially locally critical fire
weather conditions arise on Thursday as a weak system brushes by
to our north, bringing increasing winds on Thursday afternoon.
Recent guidance has backed off on the magnitude of winds across
southern Utah, however, with only a 20-30% chance for localized
gusts in excess of 25 mph. The westerly to northwesterly winds on
Thursday will instead favor strongest gusts to 30 mph across
eastern Utah. Southwesterly flow increases aloft beginning late
Friday as a stronger system digs into the western US. Gusty
surface winds will develop by Saturday afternoon, with widespread
gusts 30-40 mph across the state, persisting into Sunday. More
confidence exists for critical fire weather conditions to develop
this weekend, especially where fuels are critically dry across
southern Utah.

&&

.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...Fire Weather Watch from Thursday morning through Thursday
     evening for UTZ496-498.

WY...None.
&&

$$

PUBLIC/FIRE WEATHER...Whitlam
AVIATION...Warthen


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http://weather.gov/saltlakecity