Utah forecast: Midweek rain and clouds in store

Summer should continue its metamorphosis into autumn Tuesday with somewhat cooler temperatures, cloudy skies and rain.

The National Weather Service predicts highs in the lower 80s along the Wasatch Front, with a 20 percent chance of afternoon rain in the region's northern counties. In Utah County, forecasters say there is a 50 percent chance of precipitation.

Similar temperatures and rain will likely continue into Wednesday. That forecast comes just days after floods swept through Alpine, and as residents braced themselves for the possibility of more rain.

The National Weather Service also issued a hazardous weather warning Tuesday, saying rain could produce flash floods in southern and western Utah.

Pete Wilensky, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, said a "very wet" weather system in Arizona is feeding the current rain storms. Tuesday morning, that weather system was producing high flows in the Virgin River, but no flooding. However, Wilensky said flash flooding "was likely in some areas" in southern Utah.

That same weather system — which Wilensky said is moving slowly —­ could reach the Wasatch Front by Tuesday afternoon.

By Wednesday, he added, high risk areas such as Alpine could again by facing more flooding.

"Anyone in the areas that are prone to flooding needs to pay attention to forecasts and be prepared to move to higher ground," Wilensky said.

Tuesday in St. George there is a 70 percent chance of rain, with high temperatures reaching the upper 80s. The chance of rain in southern Utah should taper off as the week goes on.

Also Tuesday, despite a sulfuric lake-stink drifting across Salt Lake City early in the morning, the Utah Division of Air Quality predicted clean air across the state. Intermountain Allergy and Asthma reports very high levels of mold and high levels of ragweed.

Forecasters predict highs in Salt Lake City to reach 82 degrees Tuesday and 80 degrees Wednesday; Provo should see highs of 79 and 80, respectively; Ogden 81 and 79; Logan 82 and 79; Wendover 80 and 79; Duchesne 68 and 71; Cedar City 73 and 72; St. George 86 and 85; Park City 70 and 69; and Moab 70 and 81.

jdalrymple@sltrib.com

Twitter: @jimmycdii