This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Northern Utah is getting a drier, sunnier break ahead of the expected return of spring showers later in the week.

The National Weather Service predicted highs in the low-70s under partly cloudy, breezy skies for Thursday, a scenario that was 5-7 degrees warmer than Wednesday's forecast. Rain showers were expected to return late Thursday night into early Friday along the Wasatch Front.

Southern Utah was downright balmy. Utah's Dixie looked for highs in the mid-80s Thursday, a few degrees warmer than Wednesday's forecast. Winds of 10-20 mph were predicted both days.

The Utah Division of Air Quality rated breathability statewide at "Green," or healthy.

The Utah Avalanche Center warned mountain back-country recreationists that the risk for avalanches was rated at "considerable" for the mountains above Salt Lake City. The rest of the state — with the exception of a "low" risk rating for Moab — fell into the "moderate" risk category.

Salt Lake City's Wednesday high of 67 was expected to be followed by 73 degrees on Thursday; Ogden looked for 66 and 72 degrees, respectively; Provo 69 and 74; Logan 65 and 69; Wendover 67 and 71; Duchesne 67 and 70; Cedar City 65 and 70; St. George 81 and 84; and Moab 68 and 76 degrees.

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