The first signs of a change of season are approaching, but in the next few days there could be “critical” fire weather conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for most of Western Utah, which went into effect Friday and will remain in effect through Saturday night. Southerly wind gusts of up to 45-55 mph are expected for Northern Utah, the Wasatch Front, West Desert, Central Utah and even Cedar City.
The stronger winds are coming ahead of a cold front from California, a weather pattern that typically returns toward the start of meteorological fall. KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson said the central low pressure system is expected to reach Nevada on Saturday before moving north toward the northwest corner of Utah on Sunday.
Winds are expected to die down as the cold front arrives, but high temperatures along the Wasatch Front are expected to drop from the highs of 30 to lows of 35 degrees on Friday and Saturday to above 24 degrees on Sunday. Salt Lake City is currently expected to see highs of 24 degrees on Sunday, which is the normal high temperature in the city in late September after the astronomical change from summer to fall.
Temperatures below 27 degrees are expected in Cedar City, and below 32 degrees in St. George.
The strong winds are one aspect of several patterns currently being felt in Utah.
Scattered monsoon rains are possible across the state on Friday, including more flooding. Johnson said rains are more likely to hit eastern Utah on Saturday and Sunday.
Gusty winds during the day and low relative humidity will create critical fire weather conditions in areas of western Utah on Friday and Saturday. #utwx pic.twitter.com/42ycuYhfMM
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) 23 August 2024
The weather service also issued simultaneous wildfire warnings for areas affected by the wind, as the gusts combined with the heat and relatively low humidity will create “critical fire weather conditions” through Friday evening and likely most of Saturday.
However, the taste of fall is unlikely to last long. Highs along the Wasatch Front are expected to climb back up to the high 80s to low 95s by Tuesday. That’s almost normal for this time of year.
Complete seven-day forecasts for areas across Utah can be found online at the KSL Weather Center.
