Utah forecast: A slight break from the weather oven

Northern Utah's two-day return to triple-digit temperatures was to give way late Thursday to a new cycle of thunderstorms and rain showers.

The National Weather Service said the precipitation and slightly cooler temperatures in the low- to mid-90s were to come as a high-pressure system over the state shifts east toward Wyoming and Colorado.

The Wasatch Front expected thunderstorms and rain beginning Thursday night and continuing into Friday, dropping 100-degree-plus temperatures forecast for Wednesday into the 90s.

Southern Utahns also expected some storm clouds Thursday, but they will bring little relief from the furnace-like heat. Highs on Thursday were still expected to be a slightly breezy 100 degrees or more, though down from the 110-degree-plus readings forecast for Wednesday.

The entire state was under a "Yellow," or compromised air quality advisory through the rest of the week, thanks to a combination of trapped air over the valleys and smoke drifting into Utah from out-of-state fires and the smaller blazes within the state.

Meanwhile, the Intermountain Allergy & Asthma website warned that mold was "high" on its index of allergens.

Salt Lake City's high temperature Thursday was pegged at 96 degrees, down from Wednesday's forecast for 101; Ogden expected 93 and 97 degrees, respectively; Provo 96 and 100; Logan 92 and 97; Wendover 89 and 98; Duchesne 93 and 94; Cedar City 89 and 98; St. George 100 and 109; and Moab 102 and 101 degrees.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims