Utah sets heat record for hottest summer

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s hottest summer on record is now in the books. In a tweet on Thursday, the National Weather Service reported the warmest  June, July and August in Utah since the agency started keeping records.

Temperatures are recorded at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

The previous record for the warmest meteorological was set in 2021 at 80.9 degrees while the record for the daily heat was set at 98 degrees in 1950. This summer broke both records.

Today’s high temperature of 102° at the SLC airport is a new daily record for August 31, breaking the previous record of 98° set in 1950. Also, this is now the 27th 100° day in 2022. This number will only grow over the next several days. #utwx pic.twitter.com/omQqjdtxpR

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) August 31, 2022

What’s with this heat?

KSL Meteorologist, Matt Johnson told KSL NewsRadio there are several contributing factors that, combined, are heating things up so much across Utah. 

“The Great Salt Lake is at historically low levels,” Johnson said. “Typically we rely on that lake breeze to cool things down come early afternoon.”

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Our reporting on the Utah drought:

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• Some Utah areas see slight drop in drought levels

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Johnson said that the lake breeze has been weaker and is showing up later in the day.

Soil moisture is another contributing factor.

“We’re in the middle of a severe drought,” Johnson said, “and the drier that your soil is, the easier it is to move that temperature to the hot side … the land is able to heat things more quickly and more efficiently.”

A recent update on Utah drought conditions showed that soil moisture was slightly above normal for this time of year, thanks to summer monsoons. 

Southern Utah isn’t faring any better. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory, saying that temperatures could reach 110 degrees around St. George through next week.

An Excessive Heat Warning goes into effect for lower Washington County Thursday, 9-1 and lasts through Monday, 9-5. Expect temperatures as warm as 110°F each afternoon. Be sure to find ways, such as those listed, to stay safe during these conditions! #utwx pic.twitter.com/JnloujQOc7

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) August 31, 2022

 Don Brinkerhoff contributed to this report.