This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Temperatures were expected Friday to be slightly cooler, but the forecast for Utah still continued to be unseasonably hot and dry.
The National Weather Service saw no relief from a cold front that moved into the region, with no significant rainfall expected for the state's parched high deserts and forest lands. Rather, the possibility of dry lightning sparking new wildfires was feared.
Temperatures in northern Utah were to reach the low- to mid-90s under hazy skies with winds in the 15-20 mph range, while southern Utahns looked for highs in the triple-digits with winds of 15-25 mph.
Air quality in wildfire locations was compromised, but generally air quality was graded "Green," or satisfactory statewide, according to the Utah Division of Environmental Quality.
A "Red Flag" extreme wildfire risk warning was out for the western half of the state, and a portion of southeastern Uintah County. with gusts and drought-like conditions adding to the worries of firefighters already struggling with six major wildfires. Open fires also were banned on all public lands throughout the state.
Salt Lake City's high temperature for Friday was pegged at 96 degrees, mirroring Thursday's forecast; Ogden looked for 93 degrees both days; Provo was forecast for 96s; Logan 91s; Wendover 94s; Duchesne 91 and 90 degrees; Cedar City 92 and 93; St. George 104 degrees both days; and Moab 101 and 100 degrees.