Explore the changes in the weather with Amy Freeze as she gives a detailed forecast for Salt Lake City and observations on the contrasting warm trends in the Southwest.

Salt Lake City Afternoon News – 05/16/2025: Join Meteorologist Amy Freeze for a comprehensive breakdown of this week’s weather across Salt Lake City and the Southwest. From the clear, sunny days in Arizona and Nevada to the anticipated rains in Utah, this update is essential for planning your week ahead. Detailed forecasts from today’s temperatures to next week’s climatic shifts are all covered. Read the full article here: https://amyfreeze.ai/ Showers are moving southward from Reno towards Northern California, with light rain affecting areas near Redding. Ely is experiencing some isolated showers as clouds spread across Eastern Nevada. The clear skies over Phoenix and San Diego are offering a warm and dry day. Snow showers are making their presence known across the higher elevations near Ely, while Salt Lake City maintains its dry spell. Las Vegas stays dry under clear skies as precipitation keeps its distance.
This afternoon in Salt Lake City, temperatures will reach 64 degrees, climbing to 66 degrees by evening. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a slight break in the clouds as the day progresses towards 8 PM. Winds are mild, starting at northwest 10 miles per hour, shifting to west-northwest at 9 miles per hour, and calming to northwest 7 miles per hour by 8 PM.
In the Southwest Phoenix is leading the way with a high of 95 degrees, while Las Vegas also feels the heat, reaching 90 degrees. Over in Los Angeles, expect a milder day at 70 degrees, perfect beach weather. Further north in Fresno, temperatures climb to 89 degrees, with Bakersfield matching that at 90. San Diego will be a bit cooler at 68 degrees, while Flagstaff sits at 70, showcasing some noticeable temperature contrasts across the region.
Tonight Flagstaff is seeing a chilly low of 39 degrees. Expect 41 in Cedar City and a cold 32 in Ely, where conditions are likely to feel even cooler. Las Vegas will dip to 64, while Los Angeles stays relatively mild at 55 degrees. San Diego will have a low of 57, and further north, San Francisco will cool down to 51.
Expect a warm day in the Southwest tomorrow, well above average for mid-May. Phoenix will see a scorching high of 94 degrees, while Las Vegas warms up to 86. Bakersfield will reach 81 degrees, and Fresno is expected to hit 77 degrees. Along the coast, Los Angeles will be milder at 64, with San Diego slightly cooler at 63.
High pressure will dominate the Southwest tomorrow, ensuring clear and sunny conditions throughout the region, perfect for outdoor plans. However, coastal areas near central California should brace for evening marine layer effects, bringing cooler temperatures and patchy fog. Areas in Southern California, especially the San Bernardino Mountains, may experience light scattered showers. Arizona and New Mexico will remain dry, with temperatures steadily climbing, potentially reaching the upper 80s to low 90s. There’s no significant severe weather threat over the next 48 hours in the region.
Salt Lake City’s UV index will be moderate on both Friday and Saturday, standing at 5, which suggests a burn time of about 27 minutes.