Thunderstorms bring a flash-flood watch

Cooler temperatures • With rain comes relief from the heat.

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A series of thunderstorms will bring much-needed rain to parched Utah through this weekend, but cooler temperatures and precipitation also bring heightened risks for localized flooding.

Citing concerns for swollen creeks and streams, as well as rainfall running off mountain slopes denuded by recent wildfires, the National Weather Service issued a flash-flood watch Saturday, and said continued rainfall on Sunday could also produce flash-flood conditions in slot canyons and burn scar areas.

The rainy weather is expected to continue into the beginning of the week, though rain showers will likely hit just higher elevations Monday, and possibly Tuesday.

Temperatures are expected to return to normal mid-July heat by midweek.

Meantime, air quality — deteriorated in urban areas throughout the state due to smoke from the week's lightning-sparked wildfires — has improved. The Utah Division of Environmental Quality issued "Green" or healthy ratings Sunday for all Wasatch Front counties.

The forecast for northern Utah called for temperatures in the low 80s on Sunday, with thunderstorms expected periodically. Southern Utahns can expect similar weather patterns, though the high in St. George will be in the upper 80s.

The forecast calls for highs Sunday and Monday in Salt Lake City of 82 and 87 degrees respectively; Ogden, 83 and 87; Provo 82 and 89; Logan 80 and 84; Wendover 86 and 85; Duchesne 78 and 83; Cedar City 77 and 79; St. George 89 and 91; and Moab 91 and 90.

remims@sltrib.com

Tribune reporter Jessica Miller contributed to this story.