This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Northern Utah's forecast for Thursday predicts a marked cooling trend, punctuated by rain in the valleys and snowfall in the mountains and benches.

High temperatures were predicted to range into the mid-50s, down about 15 degrees from Wednesday's daytime readings.

Southern Utah looked for drier and warmer weather. Highs Thursday were expected to be in the upper-70s, down a few degrees from Wednesday. Partly cloudy skies with winds of 15-25 mph were predicted in the evening hours.

The Utah Division of Air Quality graded breathability statewide as "Green," or healthy. The Intermountain Allergy & Asthma website noted that sagebrush was "very high" and ragweed "moderate" on the organization's pollen index.

For the second day in a row Wednesday, due to the federal government shutdown the National Weather Service did not provide a specific high and low temperature forecast by city.

However, the WeatherBug.com website predicted Salt Lake City's high for Thursday would be 55 degrees, down from Wednesday's 72; Ogden looked for 52 and 70 degrees, respectively; Provo 55 and 72; Logan 50 and 65; Wendover 52 and 65; Duchesne 55 and 72; Cedar City 65 and 72; St. George 78 and 85; and Moab 75 and 85 degrees.

Twitter: @remims —

October is here: Time to shut down your sprinklers

With the feeling of fall in the air, the Utah Division of Water Resources (DWRe) reminds northern Utahns it is time to shut down your automatic sprinkler systems for the year.

"The state's reservoir systems worked perfectly this year, storing the below average snowpack and releasing water to users throughout the dry, hot summer", says Eric Klotz, the Water Conservation manager for the DWRe. "But, because the reservoirs were not full at the start of the season, we are asking people to be a little more conscious of their water use this fall. With the recent cold storm and another on the way, you can shut down your sprinkler system for the year."

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has set a statewide goal of reducing per capita water use by at least 25 percent by the year 2025. Since the year 2000, water conservation efforts have resulted in a statewide reduction in per capita water use of about 18 percent. This year, water use is on par with last year, even though it has been an extremely hot and dry summer statewide.

"This shows that people are really trying to change their habits, watering only what the landscape needs and creating a long-term water conservation ethic. We want to thank the citizens of the State of Utah for becoming more water-wise," says Klotz.

Residents can refer to the website slowtheflow.org for tips on how to conserve water.

Utah Division of Water Resources —

October is here: Time to shut down your sprinklers

With the feeling of fall in the air, the Utah Division of Water Resources (DWRe) reminds northern Utahns it is time to shut down your automatic sprinkler systems for the year.

"The state's reservoir systems worked perfectly this year, storing the below average snowpack and releasing water to users throughout the dry, hot summer", says Eric Klotz, the Water Conservation manager for the DWRe. "But, because the reservoirs were not full at the start of the season, we are asking people to be a little more conscious of their water use this fall. With the recent cold storm and another on the way, you can shut down your sprinkler system for the year."

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has set a statewide goal of reducing per capita water use by at least 25 percent by the year 2025. Since the year 2000, water conservation efforts have resulted in a statewide reduction in per capita water use of about 18 percent. This year, water use is on par with last year, even though it has been an extremely hot and dry summer statewide.

"This shows that people are really trying to change their habits, watering only what the landscape needs and creating a long-term water conservation ethic. We want to thank the citizens of the State of Utah for becoming more water-wise," says Klotz.

Residents can refer to the website slowtheflow.org for tips on how to conserve water.

Utah Division of Water Resources