Amy Freeze breaks down the sunny and stormy aspects of the upcoming Southwest weather, shedding light on unexpected weather shifts.

Exploring the diverse climate of Salt Lake City and its surroundings, Meteorologist Amy Freeze offers a detailed forecast for the evenings and upcoming days. With expert analysis on potential thunderstorms and high UV indices, Amy advises on appropriate precautions for residents and visitors alike. Delve into the temperature trends and weather peculiarities of iconic cities such as Phoenix and Las Vegas and understand the driving forces behind the Southwest’s dynamic climate.
The regional radar shows clear conditions over much of the Southwest, with the exception of some showers in the northern reaches. In the Salt Lake City area, light rain is moving through, extending southeast toward Cedar City. Ely is experiencing some scattered showers as well. Most of the region, including Reno, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and the coastal cities such as San Francisco, remains dry and clear.
In the evening hours for Salt Lake City, the temperature will start at 77 degrees at 9 PM, cooling to 72 degrees by 11 PM, and reaching a low of 67 degrees by 1 AM. Expect partly cloudy skies initially, transitioning to mostly clear conditions later. Winds will shift from northwest at 9 mph earlier in the evening to southeast at 6 mph by 1 AM.
Tonight, Los Angeles will cool down to 60 degrees, while San Diego drops to 62. Expect a chilly 46 in Flagstaff, highlighting a significant cold air push in the region. Las Vegas will see a mild low of 77, while Fresno will settle at 66 degrees. Ely is expected to register just 43 degrees, indicating a notable temperature drop for the area.
Tomorrow, Phoenix is forecast to experience a high of 102 degrees, significantly above average for this time of year. Las Vegas will also be warm, reaching 96 degrees, consistent with seasonal trends. Further west, temperatures in Bakersfield will hit 98 degrees, while Fresno is expected to reach a steamy 96. Coastal areas like San Francisco will see a cooler high of 66 degrees, due to marine influences.
Expect a dynamic weather shift in the Southwest region tomorrow as a cold front approaches. Thunderstorms will develop, particularly in Southern California and Nevada, by late afternoon, with the potential for heavy rain and gusty winds. Temperatures will remain warm ahead of the front but drop significantly as it passes. Keep an eye on Phoenix and Las Vegas for potential flash flooding. After the front moves through, cooler and drier air will set a more tranquil tone heading into the weekend.
The UV index in Salt Lake City is expected to reach 8 on Thursday, so take precautions with a burn time of just 17 minutes under direct sun exposure. By Friday, the UV index rises to 9, reducing the burn time to a quick 15 minutes!
For the 7-day outlook in Salt Lake City: Thursday: Partly cloudy with a high of 79 degrees and a low of 59 degrees. Friday: Mostly clear skies, warmer with a high of 81 degrees and a low of 59 degrees. Saturday: Sunny day expected with temperatures rising to a high of 87 degrees and a low of 62 degrees. Sunday: Clear skies continue, reaching a high of 90 degrees, and cooling to 62 degrees at night. Monday: Mostly clear with the week’s high at 92 degrees, low dipping to 65 degrees. Tuesday: Partly cloudy skies, staying warm with a high of 92 degrees and a low of 65 degrees. Wednesday: Expect partly cloudy conditions, with temperatures reaching up to 86 degrees and a low around 61 degrees.