Utah forecast: Salt Lake City nears record for 95-degree days

In a summer of record-setting heat, Salt Lake City reached yet another high temperature mark Thursday.

The National Weather Service reported that Utah's capital hit 97 degrees Thursday, tying a 1961 record of 51 days of highs of at least 95 degrees — and with Friday's mid-afternoon temperature zenith expected to hit 96, it could be that 2013 will be a record-setting sizzler of a year.

Once again, the Wasatch Front was not only expected to be hot, but humid as a cycle of thunderstorms and rain showers rolled through the region. High temperatures along northern Utah's mountainous spine were to be in the low to mid-90s on Friday, mirroring Thursday's weather.

Thunder and rain also were on tap for southern Utah, though the highs there will flirt with triple digits.

The Utah Division of Air Quality rated breathability in the "Green," or healthy zone heading toward the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Intermountain Allergy & Asthma website rated chenopods and mold at "high" and ragweed at "moderate" on its pollen index.

Ogden's high temperature on Friday was to hit 93, up two degrees from Thursday's high; Provo looked for 95 and 94, respectively; Logan 93 and 92; Wendover 94 and 88; Duchesne 85 and 86; Cedar City 85 and 86; St. George 97 and 99; and Moab 94 and 93 degrees.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims