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Showing posts from July, 2025

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 - Smoke is heavy, Winds should change later this week

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Smoke from the Monroe Canyon fire is still inundating the Sanpete Valley. With prevailing winds from the South, the smoke is being driven directly into our valley. AQI measurements have peaked over 150 in the area, and we started this morning already over 100. Today will probably be a bad one. The fire has burned an extra 2,000+ acres since yesterday. Containment is still at 16% with an expected containment date around the middle of August. There is hope for us in the next couple of days. First, there is a chance of rain on Thursday. It is not a large chance, but enough that the weather systems with it should clear out the air a bit. But more importantly, the winds will be shifting directions later this week, driving the smoke eastward. But even with that change, we will still be under a large High pressure system that will persist for another week or so. We are looking at another week of hot and dry weather. Day Low (*F) High (*F) Precipitation Yesterday 50.3 91.3 0.00...

Monday, July 28, 2025 - Fires and an Orange Sunrise

This weekend has been filled with a lot of smoke. There are a couple of fires to the South: one in Monroe Canyon (South of Richfield) and another around the Grand Canyon. Prevailing winds are currently from the South, so they are bringing the smoke into the Sanpete Valley. This morning, a thin layer of ash covered cars and sidewalks, and the sun rose a dark orange color. The Monroe Canyon fire is currently only about 15% contained, and isn't expected to be fully contained until the middle of August. The air quality index around here reached just over 150 yesterday, putting us into the Unhealthy index. So, people should limit their time outdoors for the next couple of days. This week is going to continue to look dry. We do have slight chances of rain on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, but they are just slight chances. But they could, if nothing else, help clear out the air a little.  Day Low (*F) High (*F) Precipitation Yesterday 49.6 89.1 0.00 Today 50.3 96 ...

Friday, July 25, 2025 - Still a Drought - Possible changes next week

The drought conditions here in our area continue. Even though this is the time of year that we should expect a little more rainfall, we are still hot a dry. These conditions will continue through the weekend and into next week Forecast models are indicating a change in the coming week. We have a mass of humid air that will start entering our area in the middle of next week, bringing slight chances of rain Tuesday and Wednesday with increased chances later in the week. Day Low (*F) High (*F) Precipitation Yesterday 53.2 90.0 0.00 Today 49.2 92 0% Tomorrow 51 95 0% Jul 23 Jul 24 Jul 25 Jul 26 Normal High T 86.57 86.83 86.73 86.73 Max High T 97.0 (2022) 97.0 (1931) 101.0 (1928) 103.0 (1960) Min High T 72.0 (1993) 70.0 (1911) 70.0 (1911) 73.0 (1911) Normal Low T 57.5 57.53 57.17 56.97 Max Low T 66.0 (2022) 68.0 (2006) 70.0 (2024) 65.0 (2009) Min Low T 42.0 (1973) 42.0 (1954) 40.0 (1913) 45.0 (1944) Normal Precip 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.04 Max Precip 0.39 (1962) 0...

Wed, July 23, 2025 - Still dry

The pattern of the last few days is continuing. We are still under the strong dry spell that has been affecting us for the last few weeks. However, the temperatures have dropped a little, with high temperatures around 90*F instead of near 100*F. The next few days are very similar to what we have experienced with one small difference - the air is continuing to dry out from the wetter weekend we had, so we will have fewer clouds. But other than that, not much is changing for the rest of the week. As we get into next week, there is an even drier airmass moving into our area, allowing the temperatures to rise into the low- to mid-90's. Day Low (*F) High (*F) Precipitation Yesterday 53.6 89.1 0.00" Today 53.3 91 0% Tomorrow 52 90 0% Jul 21 Jul 22 Jul 23 Jul 24 Normal High T 87.6 87.27 86.57 86.83 Max High T 99.0 (2005) 98.0 (2022) 97.0 (2022) 97.0 (1931) Min High T 70.0 (1914) 65.0 (1909) 72.0 (1993) 70.0 (1911) Normal Low T 57.07 57.3 57.5 57.53 Max...

Tue, July 22, 2025 - Extended Dry Spell

Yesterday, we had trace amounts of rain in various areas around the valley, but nothing substantial. In the meantime, we have a pocket of dry air forming over the Great Basin. This is usually the time of year that we start getting more rain from the Southwest monsoon. This year, however, it looks like we have an extended dry spell and will have to wait a couple more weeks before our rainy season. Day Low (*F) High (*F) Precipitation Yesterday 54.9 86.7 Trace Today 53.6 88 0% Tomorrow 54 89 0% 2025-07-20 2025-07-21 2025-07-22 2025-07-23 2025-07-24 Normal High T 87.83 87.6 87.27 86.57 86.83 Max High T 101.0 (2005) 99.0 (2005) 98.0 (2022) 97.0 (2022) 97.0 (1931) Min High T 71.0 (1987) 70.0 (1914) 65.0 (1909) 72.0 (1993) 70.0 (1911) Normal Low T 57.69 57.07 57.3 57.5 57.53 Max Low T 78.0 (2005) 67.0 (2005) 74.0 (2010) 66.0 (2022) 68.0 (2006) Min Low T 46.0 (1908) 46.0 (1957) 43.0 (1914) 42.0 (1973) 42.0 (1954) Normal Precip 0.02 0.01 0.04 0.01 0.04 Max Preci...

July 17, 2025 - Increased chance for rain this weekend

Yesterday we had clear skies in the morning, but it got progressively more cloudy in the afternoon. This brought a little relief temperature-wise to our hot and dry summer. Humid air is being pushed northward from the SW monsoon into our area. This is what is bringing the cloudier weather and increased chances for precipitation. We have had an increase in chances for precipitation, but nothing more than a sprinkle has happened. However, that should change today and tomorrow as the chances for precipitation increase into the weekend. Day Low (*F) High (*F) Precipitation Yesterday 58.1 93.1 0.00” Today 55.2 93 20% Tomorrow 54 89 60% ​

Tue, July 15 - Beginning of SW Monsoon?

Discussion Yesterday we saw the hottest day of the year so far on the Snow College campus at 98.5*F. (Note that this is not the official station, so we can’t officially say the hottest day here.) This morning we are seeing cloudy skies, which should somewhat continue through the day. We are also seeing signs that the Southwest Monsoon season is beginning. As we get affected by these monsoon seasons, we should expect to see changes in our weather shortly with slightly cooler temperatures and a little more rain. This week, we are looking at small chances of thunderstorms (about 20% chance every day). These will be from convective thunderstorms as the surface air heats and rises, forming into thunderstorms in the afternoon. These thunderstorms are likely through the week, but most likely on Friday and Saturday where we can likely get a little accumulation. Forecast Day Low (*F) High (*F) Precipitation (%) Yesterday 55.7 98.5 0.0 Today 57.5 97 Trace Tomorrow 5...