Sizzling temperatures set record highs across Utah

Temperatures reached record highs Wednesday in Park City, Brian Head and Bryce Canyon, the National Weather Service said.

Brian Head reached 85, topping the old July Fourth record of 78; Bryce Canyon was 92, beating the old mark of 88; and Park City reached 89, one degree higher than the previous daily record. Kanab reached 105, tying the old record for the date.

Today and Friday, high temperatures across the state are expected to continue to meet or beat records, according to forecasts compiled by the service.

The state is soaking up heat due to a building high-pressure ridge, according to the service. Forecasters anticipate temperatures will max out before Saturday. By then, cloud cover should drop temperatures by a few degrees but could also trap remaining heat.

In St. George, temperatures are expected to hit 114 degrees today — the state record is 117, set on July 5, 1985. In Logan, temperatures could reach 100 today and 99 on Friday, beating records of 96 and 97 degrees, respectively.

In Weber, Davis and Salt Lake counties, temperatures could top 102 degrees. The Salt Lake City record for today is 104.

In southeastern areas of the state, dry thunderstorms are expected to blow in from the west beginning today.

In addition to scalding heat, poor air quality is expected to remain over much of the state in coming days, according to the Utah Division of Air Quality. Levels of ozone could reach dangerously high levels in Salt Lake, Utah, Weber and Davis counties. By Friday, those counties should see lower ozone pollution readings, but Cache County's levels are forecast to increase.

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