Utah forecast: A little rain, a lot of heat

Elvis would have loved this forecast and Utahns might even join him in singing: "I don't really mean to complain. Now all I needed was the rain."

After baking this past week under clear, sunny skies and triple-digit temperatures, the state's parched denizens could look forward this weekend to a little, short-lived relief in the wake of thunderstorms and isolated showers.

Friday morning saw the dark, water-filled clouds roll over the Wasatch Front. In the dawn horizon over the Salt Lake Valley, rain dropped like feathery fingers, creating brief rainbows while giving a sheen to previously dusty streets. By afternoon, cloud cover was to dissipate, but Friday's high temperatures were forecast for the mid-90s, down from Thursday's 100-degree readings.

By Saturday afternoon, though, northern Utahns braced once more for highs in the upper-90s. In southern Utah, the storm clouds were expected to be a no-show, with temperatures again around 100 degrees or more.

So, in terms of rain, an all too brief respite. Still, as the King might opine while turning a glistening, black pompadour to the skies, "Thank you, thank you very much."

While the atmosphere-stirring storms helped keep air quality in the "Green," or healthy range on Friday, Saturday's air quality was expected to deteriorate to "Yellow," or compromised in Salt Lake, Davis, Utah and Weber counties; the rest of the state expected satisfactory air quality, according to the Utah Division of Environmental Quality.

Salt Lake City expected a 99 degree high on Saturday, up from Friday's forecast for 97; Ogden looked for 95 and 94; Provo 98 and 95; Logan 95 and 93; Wendover 96 and 95; Duchesne 86 and 84; Cedar City 92 and 91; St. George 103 and 100; and Moab 94 and 96.

remims@sltrib.com