FXUS65 KSLC 041600 AFDSLC Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT 1000 AM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026 .KEY MESSAGES, Issued 737 AM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026... - Smoke originating from numerous fires across the Pacific Northwest will remain in the air over much of Utah and southwest Wyoming through at least midweek. - High temperatures will remain below seasonal normals for northern portions of the forecast area today, following by a steady warming trend which will bring the potential for dangerous heat by late in the week and into the weekend. - Gusty winds and low relative humidity will bring another round of critical fire weather conditions to the Uinta Basin and San Rafael Swell today. && .DISCUSSION, Issued 1002 PM MDT Mon Aug 3 2026... The Pacific Northwest trough that brought a dry cold front through northern Utah yesterday is centered over North Dakota this evening, with a very dry west to northwest flow over Utah and southwest Wyoming. Thus, seeing clear skies and generally light winds over much of the area. Highs dropped to up to 5F below seasonal normals over northern Utah, while portions of southern Utah saw another day of very hot temperatures. The less hot weather will persist for another day Tuesday, with even southern Utah seeing a small amount of relief from the heat. Flow aloft will tend to decrease but should remain elevated enough to bring breezy winds to the San Rafael Swell, combining with the dry airmass to bring another round of critical fire weather conditions. As high pressure rebuilds along the Pacific coast for the middle of next week and beyond, Utah and southwest Wyoming will see a steady warming trend, most noticeable over northern portions of the forecast area. By this weekend, there will be a high chance of all northern Utah valley locations seeing highs of 100F or more and will need to monitor for an increased threat of heat related illness. Over southern Utah, there is a decent chance that the position of the ridge will allow some monsoon moisture to return northward, which would limit warming and perhaps bring a few afternoon showers and thunderstorms to the higher terrain. Guidance is increasingly showing a more substantial return of monsoon moisture early next week as the center of the ridge moves back to the Four Corners region. && .AVIATION, Issued 737 AM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026... KSLC...Minimal operational concerns are forecast for the KSLC terminal through the valid TAF period, with clear skies prevailing. Lingering valley smoke will drop visibility into the MVFR category during the early morning hours at times. This smoke is expected to clear mid-tolate-morning, though is likely (60% chance) to return late tonight. Light south to westerly winds will turn northwesterly between 15 and 17Z. REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Most areas of Utah and southwest Wyoming are expected to follow light diurnally driven flows with VFR conditions prevailing. That said, area smoke settling into valley areas may bring a reduction in VIS to MVFR thresholds. Visibility is expected to improve by mid- to late-morning with breezy west to northwest winds prevailing areawide. Additional smoke is likely to move in from the northwest tonight, impacting northern Utah terminals. && .FIRE WEATHER...Enhanced west to northwest flow behind an upper- level system will bring gusty winds this afternoon and evening mainly across the Uinta Basin and San Rafael Swell. Existing critically dry conditions will allow a period of critical fire weather conditions to develop today across these areas as a result. Upper- level flow becomes lighter on Wednesday through the remainder of the week as high pressure begins amplifying across the western US. This pattern will bring a warming trend inaddition to a continuation of critically dry conditions and poor overnight humidity recoveries through Saturday. Chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms return mainly to far southwest Utah as early as Thursday, but limited moisture will yield a dry lightning and microburst threat with any storms that develop. High temperatures are expected to peak around 10 degrees above average across the region on Saturday, before a more modest monsoon surge brings increasing cloud cover Sunday into early next week that will moderate daytime highs, but keep overnight lows quite warm with improving overnight recoveries. && .SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... UT...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for UTZ482-489. WY...None. && $$ PUBLIC...Traphagan AVIATION...Van Cleave FIRE WEATHER...Whitlam For more information from NOAA's National Weather Service visit... http://weather.gov/saltlakecity