Utah forecast: Diminishing smoky skies portend better air quality

Sometimes, good news comes in small increments — like the forecasts for Utah's air quality and weather heading toward the weekend.

After "Red," or unhealthy air quality ratings for most of the Wasatch Front at the mid-week, only Cache and Utah counties remained with the dread crimson flag on Thursday. By Friday, the Utah Division of Air Quality said, less severe "Yellow," or compromised breathability was to be the rule for almost the entire state; the only exception was southwestern Utah's Washington County, which was expected to unfurl a "Green," or healthy air quality banner on Friday.

While regional wildfire-stoked, smoky skies were diminishing, northern Utahns looked for high temperatures in the mid-80s and overnight lows in the mid-50s. To the south, the mercury was to climb into the mid-90s with nighttime lows near 60 degrees.

Specific high temperatures by city played out this way: Salt Lake City expected 85 degrees on Friday, the same as predicted for Thursday; Ogdenites looked for 84 and 81 degrees, respectively; Provo 86 and 82; Logan 84 and 83; Wendover 84 and 85; Duchesne 82 and 81; Cedar City 85 and 83; St. George 96 and 94; and Moab 88 and 87 degrees.

remims@sltrib.com