We have a cool front today that will bring wind and fire danger to the region. We already have critically dry vegetation and a worsening extreme drought. Temps will be cooler for a couple days before we warm up this weekend. By early next week, it should be downright scorching hot with record-breaking temperatures likely. Triple digits look like a guarantee for lower valleys. This is already the second record-breaking heat wave of the month/season. Last week we saw the earliest ever 100 degree temperatures in SLC, breaking last year's record. 

Here is a look at the mega-ridge bringing this "heat dome" to the west and southwest: 

This is departure from normal. We should have high temps around 20F above normal over much of Utah. Worst of the heat will likely be middle of next week but we could easily see 5 days of 100+ temps for the Wasatch Front. 

Of course, this is coming at a time when we already have critical drought conditions and we do not see any real hope for substantial precipitation in the next 10 days or more. I expect the drought to continue to worsen as we head toward the end of June. Not a good situation to be in heading into the two hottest months of the year (July and August). 

Be fire safe and do everything in your power to conserve water! 

No info on next winter yet... ENSO looks likely to be neutral or perhaps very weak La Nina as we enter the Fall. 

Evan | OpenSnow