{"id":484,"date":"2026-04-03T15:38:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golliza.com\/?p=484"},"modified":"2026-04-03T15:38:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:38:00","slug":"utahs-drought-reaches-record-low-snowfall-as-rare-reaches-extreme-as-record-low-snowpack-melts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golliza.com\/?p=484","title":{"rendered":"Utah’s drought reaches record-low snowfall as ‘rare’ reaches extreme as record-low snowpack melts"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

Record-breaking warmth has already melted most of Utah’s record-low snowpack, leaving more than half of Utah suddenly in extreme drought.<\/p>\n

Nearly 60% of the state is currently in extreme drought conditions, compared to 7% last week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. This includes nearly 1% exceptional drought conditions, as the worst drought conditions already in western Colorado extend across the border.<\/p>\n

All other regions in the state are also experiencing at least moderate drought for the first time this year, with more than 80% experiencing at least severe drought, nearly double the rate listed just two weeks ago.<\/p>\n

“Extremely hot weather and record-low snowpack” led to an explosive drought across the Intermountain West, Western Regional Climate Center climatologist David Shimeral wrote in an adjoining report.<\/p>\n

Utah experts knew March weather would worsen the state’s drought, but the leap surprised even them.<\/p>\n

“It’s rare to see drought conditions converge…with one drought update, the entire state basically changes by one category,” said Glenn Merrill, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n

\n
A view of the Wasatch Mountains from Willard Bay State Park in Willard on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. <\/span>|Tess Crowley, Deseret News <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The severity of the sudden drought<\/h3>\n

Drought is difficult to define, Merrill explains, but the report typically defines conditions by combining temperature, humidity, snow cover, soil moisture, river flow, vegetation, and related data into one category.<\/p>\n

This week’s report marks the first time that parts of Utah have reached an unusual drought since January 2023, when record snowfall that winter helped the state emerge from its worst drought on record. It is also the first time at least half of the state has been designated as an extreme drought since November 2022, just after the seasonal water year began.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
These maps show the drought conditions in Utah over the past two weeks. The latest report (right) was released Thursday and showed a significant increase in extreme drought in the state. <\/span>|US Drought Monitor <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

This follows another record-setting month for the state. Statewide climate data for March has not yet been released, but Salt Lake City’s average temperature last month shattered the previous record for March by 3.5 degrees and also broke records in many other areas.<\/p>\n

“I’ve never seen March temperatures like this year,” Merrill told KSL, pointing to March highs of 97 degrees in St. George, 89 degrees in Provo and 84 degrees in Salt Lake City.<\/p>\n

This, combined with record high temperatures, was already factoring in snowpack, which is always important for Utah, which provides about 95% of the state’s water supply. Thursday marks Utah’s normal snowfall peak, but experts have already acknowledged that this year’s statewide snowfall reached 8.3 inches on March 9, just over half of Utah’s normal snowfall.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
A graph of snowfall across Utah on Thursday. The statewide average reached 8.3 inches of snow water equivalent on March 9, just over half the normal peak and about a month below the typical peak on April 2. Wednesday and Thursday’s storms brought more snow, but experts don’t think Utah will reach its March 9 peak again this season. <\/span>|Natural Resource Conservation Services <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

This is the lowest statewide total in the modern snow harvesting era, which dates back to the 1980s, and is 1.9 inches below the previous low recorded in 2015. Jordan Clayton, a hydrologist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, previously argued that record warmth has resulted in little to no snow accumulation in the lower and mid-level basins this year.<\/p>\n

About two-thirds of this year’s meager harvest has already melted prematurely in March’s warmth, with river flows reaching their peak in many areas. Current snowfall levels remain at nearly one-fifth of the average statewide average on normal peak days, approaching normal levels for mid-to-late May, likely taking into account the severity of the drought.<\/p>\n

“We’re basically going into warm weather a month or two early this year,” Merrill said. \u201cIt has already reared its head and it has become clear that the drought situation has worsened in recent days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
A light snow falls on the flowers in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Showers and localized thunderstorms are possible across northern Utah tonight and into the evening. The bulk of the storm moved into Thursday morning as a cold front moved through northern Utah and eventually through central Utah by the afternoon. Temperatures will rise from the upper 50s on Saturday to the mid 60s by Easter Sunday. <\/span>| Laura Seitz, Deseret News <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

How spring storms can help<\/h3>\n

This week’s report did not list any precipitation from the storm that hit the state on Wednesday, bringing widespread rain to the valleys and snow to the mountains. On Thursday, another storm brought snow to valleys in parts of Utah, dumping more than half an inch of precipitation in many communities and more than an inch in parts of the Wasatch Front.<\/p>\n

But it’s unclear how that will affect next week’s drought report, which Merrill said is “a drop in the bucket” when it comes to water supplies.<\/p>\n

Utah’s snowpack has barely cleared, and since spring is typically the state’s wettest season meteorologically, this week has only helped many areas inch closer to normal after last month’s three-week dry spell.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
On Thursday, April 2, 2026, Big Cottonwood Creek flowed following a long-awaited snowstorm. Cottonwood Canyon resorts reported snow totals ranging from 15 inches to 22 inches. <\/span>| Laura Seitz, Deseret News <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

It’s not without merit. More storms like this one could delay the melting of snow and drying of vegetation, potentially mitigating the effects of drought before the state’s typically dry summer season.<\/p>\n

“We’d like to see rain like this on a regular basis to keep the situation at bay,” he said, adding that Utah’s reservoirs are at 73% capacity with little benefit from snowmelt left, and demand on the reservoirs will also decrease.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\ud83d\udd25Utah wildfire updates\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

There are already 84 wildfires burning, and it’s only April 2nd. Most of it is man-made.<\/p>\n

Low snow cover, drought, and heat have ushered in major fire season.<\/p>\n

Prevention is our best defense. Please use #fire sense<\/a> \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/Rr5vz9ogDj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Utah Fire Information (@UtahWildfire) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center lists a slightly higher chance of above-average precipitation in Utah through mid-April, indicating more storms on the horizon, but the bureau also notes that the odds trend toward below-average and below-average temperatures for Utah through April and the next three months.<\/p>\n

The latter could worsen Utah’s drought, Shimeral wrote. Some cities, such as Salt Lake City, have already enacted water crisis plans, and fire departments across the state are also bracing for a possible early start in case conditions worsen this year.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the South Marina at Willard Bay State Park in Willard. <\/span>|Tess Crowley, Deseret News <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n