Get set for red hot holiday

Pioneer Day weekend will grant Utahns a three-day vacation from work but not from the heat.

The National Weather Service predicts temperatures in the high 90s and low 100s, with mostly sunny skies, for northern Utah through Monday. For southern Utah, highs are expected to be in the 104- to 111-degree range, with partly cloudy skies, through the weekend.

Weather experts predict thunderstorms in the Salt Lake region early next week, but KSL-TV meteorologist Lynn Randolph said he doesn't expect the temperature to drop until Tuesday.

An red air quality action day has been declared today for Salt Lake, Davis, Utah and Weber by the Utah Department of Environment Quality. Residents should avoid driving alone and carpool or use mass transit to reduce air pollution.

Health advisory statements have also been issued for Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber and Tooele counties. Today's pollution levels are expected to be unhealthful for those with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children. Those people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertions outside during the mid-morning and afternoon hours.

See www.airmonitoring.utah.gov/api.htm and www.wrh.noaa.gov/saltlake for updates on air quality and weather conditions.