Utah forecast: Sure, and it's sunshine and 'green' air quality for St. Patrick's Day

No record high temperatures were expected Friday, but at least on that day you can be Irish, DNA notwithstanding.

The Wasatch Front will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with temperatures near 70, well below Salt Lake City's 2007 record high for the date of 74 degrees. Thursday's highs were in the upper-60s.

Wednesday was a record-setter for nine Utah cities. Salt Lake City hit 76, leaving far behind a 73-degree mark set in 2015; Cedar City's 74 edged out the 2013 record of 73); Escalante tied a 2013 high of 77; Hanksville's 81 retired a 2012 record of 78; Manti reached 71, bettering the 69-degree mark of 2007; Provo registered a 78, topping its 75-degree mark from 2013; Spanish Fork's 76 was warmer than 1934's 73; and Tooele, at 75, bettered its 2015 record of 72 degrees.

While the work week will end without more historic highs, the potential for rewriting Utah's weather record books rises again come Saturday, when Salt Lake City expects the mercury to reach 77 degrees, well above the 1972 record of 72.

Southern Utahns also will flirt with record highs. St. George, in the low-80s Thursday and Friday, expected to climb a few degrees warmer on Saturday — and that could see the 85-degree record set in 1972 supplanted.

So, there's the weekend. But first we have to celebrate/survive St. Patrick's Day. At least the Utah Division of Air Quality is on board, hoisting "green," or healthy air banners statewide throughout Friday.

Who needs a pint o' green beer, now, when the air itself is fresh and intoxicating? Aw, sure look it!

Want more of the forecast? Ah, go way outta that, of course ye will! Com'ere now to the Tribune's weather page: http://www.sltrib/com/weather/.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims