Utah is no stranger to extreme weather, despite its popularity with tourists and ski resorts. High summer temperatures and snowfall have made Utah famous for its unique climate.
The hottest temperature in Utah is 117 degrees F. This was recorded on July 5, 1985, in St. George, the state's southernmost city.
Peter Sinks, a natural sinkhole in northern Utah, is one of the coldest places on earth, even in wintertime. The sinkhole is 8,100 feet (2,500 m) above sea level, in the Bear River Mountains near Logan.
Temperatures at the bottom of the sinkhole rarely go four days without freezing, due to a phenomenon known as temperature inversion. During the wintertime, it can get below -80 degrees Fahrenheit.
A new long-range forecast shows that the state could see hot and dry conditions this summer. Combined with below-average precipitation, that could mean more wildfires and drought in the West.
