This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

On Friday, for the fifth dawn in a row, Salt Lake City set a record for the warmest overnight low temperature, a sweltering prelude for a hot and dry Pioneer Day weekend.

That kind of heat might be enough to try the patience of a prophet. Indeed, with thermometers reaching 80 degrees in Utah capital, it was a sure oracle that the 2006 record of 77 would fall. That followed Thursday's record-high minimum of 79, 2 degrees higher than the mark set in 1877 — the year Mormon pioneer leader Brigham Young died.

Thirty years earlier, Young had gazed upon the Salt Lake Valley and declared, "This is the right place, drive on." Who knows where the Latter-day Saints would've ended up had the current heat wave been in effect July 24, 1847? Alaska, maybe?

Ah, we'll never know. However, the National Weather Service is certain that after 101-degree temperatures Friday along the Wasatch Front (9 degrees higher than the July average highs for Salt Lake City, but still several degrees lower than a record), Saturday will cool into the low 90s. Sunday, however, will edge back into the upper 90s, and Monday will top 100.

Old Brigham also is quoted as saying, "It is wise for us to forget our troubles, there are always new ones to replace them." Or, hotter ones, if you find yourself in southern Utah this weekend.

After forecast highs around 107 degrees Friday, the southwestern part of the state will reach 106 on Saturday, 104 on Sunday, and 105 on Monday. Only the cover of partially cloudy skies seemed to keep the state's redrocks region from besting records 5 to 7 degrees higher.

The Utah Division of Air Quality rated all but Salt Lake and Utah counties (they were "yellow," or compromised for particulate pollution levels) as "green," or healthy going into the weekend.

The Intermountain Allergy & Asthma website reported that only mold was "high" on its pollen index as of Friday, with no other allergens elevated.

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

Twitter: @remims