Salt Lake City recorded its highest temperature in 15 years on Sunday, July 12, 2026, when the mercury climbed to 109 degrees. The National Weather Service confirmed the record-breaking peak, which surpassed the previous all-time high by two degrees and set a new milestone for the region's climate history.
Breaking a Century of Records
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City reported that the extreme temperature was observed at approximately 2:53 PM MDT. This 109-degree reading represents a significant departure from the climate normal for July, which typically sees a maximum temperature of 94 degrees.
A Massive Temperature Departure
The record-setting heat shattered the previous all-time high of 107 degrees. According to updates from NWS Salt Lake City, that 107-degree benchmark had been established in 1960 and reached again in 2002, 2021, and twice during the year 2022.
This new peak of 109 degrees is the highest temperature recorded since the site began its official climate record keeping in 1874. The deviation from the normal maximum temperature of 94 degrees marks a massive 15-degree increase above the expected seasonal high.
Extreme Heat Warnings Issued
The extreme heat was part of a broader weather pattern that prompted the National Weather Service to issue an extreme heat warning for much of northern and central Utah. The warning, which was active on July 12, covered several key areas including the Wasatch Front, Cache Valley, and the Great Salt Lake Desert.
Specifically, the alert applied to a wide range of locations such as Tooele, Park City, Ogden, Salt Lake City, Sandy, Bountiful, and Provo. The service noted that temperatures as high as 107 degrees were possible for these northern valleys, while mountain valleys in the Wasatch Back, Uinta Basin, and San Rafael Swell could see highs around 100 degrees.
Threats to Southern Utah
In southern and central Utah, the National Weather Service maintained an extreme heat warning for areas including Capitol Reef National Park, Glen Canyon Recreation Area, and Lake Powell. In these regions, temperatures were expected to reach up to 110 degrees in Lower Washington County, Zion Canyon, and the Glen Canyon area.
The agency warned that there was high confidence that temperatures would challenge daily, monthly, and even all-time records throughout Sunday and Monday. The service also noted that overnight lows in many valley locations would remain in the lower to mid-70s, providing very little relief from the daytime heat.
Safety Precautions and Risks
The National Weather Service issued specific guidance for residents facing these dangerous conditions. The agency emphasized that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events and advised the public to stay in air-conditioned rooms, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid direct sun exposure.
Authorities also warned against leaving young children or pets in unattended vehicles, noting that car interiors can reach lethal temperatures within minutes. For those performing outdoor work, the agency recommended following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, which include scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
Climate Summary Details
Beyond the extreme temperatures, the climate summary for July 12 indicated that the minimum temperature in Salt Lake City reached 78 degrees at 5:54 AM MDT. This was 33 degrees higher than the normal minimum of 45 degrees recorded during the 1991 to 2020 climate normal period.
Precipitation levels for the month remained low, with only 0.01 inches recorded month-to-date, falling short of the 0.16-inch normal. The extreme heat event also occurred alongside very low humidity, with relative humidity dropping to a low of 5 percent by 3:00 PM MDT on Sunday.
Regional Outlook
As the heatwave continued, an extreme heat warning remained in effect for parts of southwest Wyoming, including Evanston and Lyman, through Monday evening. The National Weather Service indicated that temperatures in those areas could reach up to 98 degrees.
