This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Summer temperatures across Utah likely will be above normal, with the highest chance of toastier-than-usual temps in the south, according to a National Weather Service outlook released Saturday.
Summer precipitation is predicted to be average across most of the state, the report said, though northeast Utah could witness slightly more summer rain than usual through June, July and August.
The expected hot summer will be nothing new for Utahns. For the past three calendar years, Utah witnessed near-record average and maximum temperatures, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Last summer, Utah's average and maximum temperatures were about 3 degrees above normal levels.
And through April of this year, the statewide average temperature of 38.4 degrees was 3.8 degrees above the 20th century average, according to NOAA.
In the near term, the freakish mid-May cold front that brought snow and chilly temperatures this week appears to be long gone.
Forecasters say temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-80s by midweek in the Salt Lake City area — about 10 degrees above the average. Some light rain and thunderstorms could be in the mix, however, the National Weather Service says.
In the St. George area, temperatures are expected to hit 91 by Sunday, rising to a high of 93 by Wednesday.
The Utah Division of Air Quality forecasts a mix of conditions statewide, with many areas including Salt Lake County earning "yellow," or moderate conditions for particulate pollution heading into Monday.
Twitter: @lramseth