ST. GEORGE — As Utah moves one day closer to the annual Pioneer Day celebration this weekend, Southern Utah remains in the crosshairs of weather warnings, including excessive heat and flash flooding.
The National Weather Service issued four separate alerts between 4:01 p.m. and 4:28 p.m. Wednesday, including an excessive heat warning that runs from noon Thursday through 9 p.m. Saturday.
According to the NWS:
“Dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures of 100 to 105 expected, except up to 110 near St. George and Lake Powell. Limited overnight cooling is expected, with Friday morning lows as warm as the lower 80s near St. George and Lake Powell.”
Cedar City, however, will be warm but not as warm as the areas under the heat advisory. The NWS forecast during the designated heat watch and warning includes highs in the low 90s and lows in the high 60s with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms.
Following is a brief summary of the NWS alerts:
Excessive Heat Watch
- Lower Washington County-South Central Utah- Including the cities of St George, Hurricane, Ivins, Kanab, and Escalante
- From Friday afternoon through Friday evening.
- “Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.”
Excessive Heat Warning
- For Glen Canyon Recreation Area/Lake Powell; Washington, Garfield and Kane counties
- From noon Thursday through 9 p.m. Saturday
- Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 102-108 expected. Limited overnight cooling is expected, with Friday and Saturday morning lows as warm as the lower 80s.
Flash Flood Warning
- For Central Kane County in southern Utah
- Was in effect until 7:30 Wednesday night
- Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.75 and 1 inch of rain fell.
St. George temperature data, last 30 days
- Lowest recorded temperature: 67 degrees, July 7
- Highest recorded temperature: 110 degrees, July 12 and July 17
- Consecutive days over 100 degrees: June 24-July 4; July 6-July 20 (99 degrees on July 5)
Important reminders from the NWS
- Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults.
- Older adults, particularly those with pre-existing diseases, take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility who are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
- People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have a serious health problem during a heat wave than healthy people.
- Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.