For Memorial Day Weekend, Expect Cool Temperatures and Rain

This summer's weather will be threatening across the country, with above-normal temperatures, below-normal rainfall, and deteriorating drought conditions - which pretty well covers up what meteorologists forecast in Utah.

According to Glen Merrill, senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, the Beehive State is in the "bull's eye" for the highest odds of above-normal temperatures in June, July, and August.

Rainfall and Cold temperatures in Utah

(Photo : KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Midweek, high pressure gained over and produced above-average temperatures, with Thursday breaking records in Salt Lake City, as per abc 4.

The previous record was 92 set in 1958, while Salt Lake City International Airport touched 94 for the afternoon high on Thursday, making it the warmest day.

On Thursday, St. George reached 100 degrees, making it the first triple-digit day of the season in Utah's Southwest desert.

Weather stations in downtown Salt Lake City, Scipio, Provo, Eskdale in Millard County, and the City Creek Water Plant also set or equaled records.

According to the National Weather Service, "typical" high temperatures in Salt Lake City are 84 degrees in June, 94 degrees in July, and 91 degrees in August.

In St. George, the average temperature in June is 96 degrees, 101 degrees in July, and 99 degrees in August.

Utah is expected to be significantly hotter this summer and drier than average, even though "normal" is quite dry. In June, Salt Lake City gets 0.95 of an inch of rain, 0.49 of an inch in July, and 0.58 of an inch in August.

Drought will continue despite the monsoon rains

Although northern Utah should anticipate below-average rainfall this summer, regions of southern Utah may get above-average rainfall.

We had quite an outstanding monsoon surge last year, especially in July and August, and this year is aligning up with similar signs for at least a reasonable monsoon, particularly throughout southern Utah, he added.

Even if all of the forecasts are correct and Utah receives above-average rainfall this summer, it will not help to ease the chronic drought.

According to the Utah Division of Water Resources, on May 24, 99.47 percent of the state is in severe drought or worse, and 55.67 percent is in extreme drought.

While there is a strong probability of rain and thunderstorms this summer, the potential of flash floods is more hit-or-miss and relatively localized, according to Merrill.

Flash floods ravaged the state in 2021, affecting Cedar City, Hanksville, Enoch, Zion National Park, Salt Lake City, and other cities.

A flash flood in Iron County wrecked a railway, while another in Emery County killed a coal worker.

According to the National Weather Service, fire danger will be higher than typical in June, particularly in southern Utah.

According to the Great Basin Coordination Center, which organizes firefighting activities in Utah, Nevada, and portions of Idaho and Wyoming, the largest risk is in the higher altitudes of central and southern Utah "because to ongoing drought concerns."