After a hot Tuesday, Salt Lake City temperatures are expected to fall starting Wednesday. And there is at least a slight chance that showers and thunderstorms could affect both the University of Utah’s football game on Thursday and BYU’s home opener on Saturday.
The National Weather Service forecast a high of 99 in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, which would tie the record for the Aug. 29 date, set in 2017 — 11 degrees higher than average for this time of year.
However, a “dry but fairly potent” cold front is expected to move across northern Utah on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, “bringing temperatures back to near normal for this time of year.”
The forecast calls for highs of 87 on Wednesday; 92 on Thursday; 86 on Friday; 85 on Saturday; and 81 on Sunday. The forecast high for Labor Day is just 75 — about 10 degrees below normal and 27 degrees colder than a year ago, when the thermometer topped out at 102, a record for the Sept. 4 date.
After sunny skies Thursday, there’s a slight chance — 20% — of rain and thunderstorms on Thursday night in Salt Lake City, when the University of Utah will host the Florida Gators that evening, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
The slight chance of rain and thunderstorms continues Friday through Monday in Salt Lake City.
The forecast for the next few days in Provo is similar. On Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, there is a slight chance of showers early in the day, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon, continuing Saturday night. After a high of 82, temperatures will fall to the low 60s overnight.
The BYU Cougars host the Sam Houston Bearkats that evening, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m.
Temperatures also are expected to fall in southern Utah, and there could be some rain. In St. George, the forecast highs are 105 on Tuesday; 104 on Wednesday; 98 on Thursday; 88 on Friday; 86 on Saturday and Sunday; and 84 on Monday.
There is a 20-30% chance of showers and thunderstorms on Thursday, rising to 60% on Friday. There is a slight chance of more rain on Saturday and Sunday, with sunny skies in the forecast for Monday.
