The Mayor of Salt Lake County announced the availability of area Cool Zones as much of the state faced an Excessive Heat Warning. These zones consist of public buildings where individuals can temporarily cool off and learn about available services, according to the county's webpage.
An Excessive Heat Warning was scheduled to begin on a Saturday for most valley locations across Utah, with temperatures expected to climb well above 100 degrees. Some areas faced the possibility of challenging all-time temperature records. Salt Lake City had a 50% chance of reaching 107 degrees, while Logan was likely to break its record of 103 degrees.
Meteorologist Chase Thomason noted that a significant concern involved the lack of overnight relief. Many valleys were expected to only cool into the mid-70s, with even warmer nights occurring across southern Utah. Thomason stated that several days of extreme heat combined with warm nights could quickly increase the risk of heat-related illness.
Salt Lake County Senior Centers were open to anyone over the age of 60, while Salt Lake County recreation centers were available for youth aged 0-18. The Weigand Center, located at 437 W 200 S in Salt Lake, was described by the county as a welcoming place for anyone needing to escape the heat.
Building hours, holiday closures, code of conduct, and eligibility restrictions applied to these locations. Most sites were closed on Sundays and July 24. On Sundays, the Salt Lake City Main Library operated from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Weigand Center was open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The county noted that the Weigand Center was the best option on July 24. While heat was expected to ease slightly early in the following week, temperatures were projected to remain well above average.
