This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A building high-pressure system over the Southwest means record- or near-record setting heat will sizzle throughout Utah in the days ahead.

The National Weather Service said the region's temperatures will run 10-15 degrees above normal into the midweek throughout the state, bringing dangerous heat conditions. Noting four heat-related deaths in neighboring Arizona over the weekend, Utah health officials warn anyone spending time outdoors to remain well-hydrated, to generously spray or rub on sun screen lotion, and to dress in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Indeed, Utahns are advised to avoid outdoors activities altogether if they can during the heat of the day. If you must go outside, seek shade, and wearing a wide-brimmed hat might be a good idea to fend off sunstroke.

Salt Lake City's 98-degree forecast Monday was 2 degrees off a 1961 record high, while Tuesday's predicted 99 was well below a 105-degree mark, also set in 1961. Wednesday's thermometers in the state's capital were to hit 97, 4 degrees shy of the record for the date.

However, southern Utahns will flirt with records for heat this week. St. George's 111-degree forecast on Monday was to better 1936's record of 110 degrees. Utah's Dixie was to see 110 and 106 on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, or 2 and 6 degrees below records.

The Utah Division of Air Quality listed most of the state — including the most-populated counties of the Wasatch Front — at "yellow," or moderate levels of particulate pollution extending into the midweek. Only Box Elder, Cache and Washington counties earned "green," or healthy grades.

The Intermountain Allergy & Asthma website reported that mod was "high," grass and Linden trees "moderate" on its pollen index as of Monday.

For more extensive forecast information, visit The Salt Lake Tribune's weather page at: http//www.sltrib.com/weather/.

Twitter: @remims