Climate of Salt Lake City - Recent Weather Events

Recent Weather Events

Utah was in a consistent drought from late 1998 through 2004, although experts warn that the drought-breaking conditions experienced in 2004 and 2005 could actually just be a break in a more extended drought pattern. July 2003 set the record for the warmest month ever in Salt Lake City. 2003 overall was the second warmest year on record, and recorded the second-warmest January, August, and October on record, but with the warmest month ever (July). January 2003 saw a record high January temperature of 63°F (17°C) and record low January snowfall (a trace). That winter was the sixth warmest and third least snowy on record. May 2003 also set a record high May temperature of 99°F (37°C) on two consecutive days. July 2002 also saw a record-tying high temperature of 107°F (41°C), while July 2003 saw a record high minimum temperature (80 °F; 27°C) and a record streak of 100 degree weather (July contributed 10 of that summer's 24 days over 100 degrees).

In late December 2003, a large snowstorm dumped more than 18 inches (460 mm) of snow across the valley, with up to 40 inches (1,000 mm) in high bench areas and up to 100 inches (2,500 mm) in the Wasatch Range. From December 25–29, the official station saw 21.9 inches (56 cm). This snowstorm also caused widespread power outages. Accompanied by subsequent snowstorms and a very cold January and February, snow from this storm remained on the ground for the remainder of the winter. From January 3–26, Salt Lake City spent a record amount of time below freezing. January and February were both very cold, but this was followed by the fourth-warmest March on record, which also saw a record-tying March high.

Before 2005, 1998 was the last year to see above-average precipitation. Near record-setting snowpack in the mountains during the 2004 to 2005 season, as well as heavy spring rains, ended the drought nearly state-wide. Heavy winter and spring rains caused flooding throughout the state. In late January, heavy rains overflowed the Santa Clara River in Washington County in the southwest corner of the state, destroying several homes in Ivins, Santa Clara, and Saint George, and essentially cutting off the small town of Gunlock. Heavy spring rains in late April caused widespread but minor flooding in northern Utah.

Heat returned in the summer of 2006, with July 2006 becoming the second-hottest July on record. Summer 2006 (June–August) closed as the 4th-hottest on record, tempered only by a near-average August. January 2007 became the coldest month since December 1990, and the coldest January since 1978. April 29, 2007, saw a record April high temperature of 89°F. Snow levels in the ski resorts were near record lows. It became one of the driest springs on record in Salt Lake City.

Heat returned again in the summer of 2007, with July 2007 breaking the aforementioned July 2003 record. July 2007 also set the record for the highest average monthly minimum temperature. December 2007 became the third-wettest on record. Snowfall was also abnormally high throughout the winter of 2007-2008 as snow came at an unusually frequent pace. Snow totals ended only slightly under the totals of 2003-2004 without a major snowstorm to boost the totals. Spring 2008 was once again dry but was very cool. Heat returned that summer once again and July 2008 became the fifth-warmest month on record.