Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Laurie Chase went to The Gateway to shop Monday, but when she looked down at her 2-year-old son Jaydden's red cheeks as he squinted up at her in the bright sunlight, she turned the stroller toward the fountain at Olympic Legacy Plaza.
The heat was too much, and despite not having towels or swimsuits, Chase picked up her son and walked out into the fountain's jets, surrounded by other parents and children who had all come with the same idea.
"There's really not a lot you can do when it's this hot," she said, adjusting her son's wet shoes and resting on the lawn as her clothes and hair dried. "He was all excited about going in, but when I walked him over, he was a little unsure. … He's more curious now because all the other little kids are over there having fun."
Chase said she didn't realize Utah had hit its hottest day so far this year Monday but that it certainly explained the oppressive heat. Temperatures in Salt Lake City hit the 100 degree mark, tying the record set on the same date in 1918.
A hot wind pushing ahead of a weak approaching cold front kept the temperatures up throughout the day in northern Utah, according to KSL meteorologist Kevin Eubank. Tuesday's temperatures were expected to dip, with highs reaching 88 degrees, then climb into the 90s again Wednesday and Thursday.
The cycle will continue through the weekend, Eubank said.
Utah logged its first 100-degree day of 2013 nearly a month ahead of the average. The first 90-degree day came May 13, putting the state ahead for that landmark as well, Eubank said.
The heat also caused problems for Utahns on I-15 — and not just those without air conditioning. Pavement in both southbound carpool lanes near 13800 South began to buckle in the heat, a problem that has plagued the area for the past few weeks, according to a Utah Highway Patrol spokesman.
Both lanes were closed Monday evening, with no estimate on when lane reductions would be lifted.
Photo credit: Kiffer Creveling
