National Weather Service

Record 2025 temperatures show how climate change is affecting Utah, including the state’s water supply.

Forecasting snow conditions in Utah’s mountains can be tricky, but accurate predictions are vital for everything from ski trips to avalanche safety. An AI forecast tool developed at the University of Utah might help.

The water year that ended Sept. 30 was one of the driest on record for parts of the state, including Salt Lake City and St. George.

After a promising forecast, monsoon rains ghosted Utah for most of the summer. While the recent showers were a welcome relief, they couldn’t help the state climb out of its precipitation deficit.

Salt Lake County has mapped out cool zones for people to get out of the heat, and groups like the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake provide water, sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats.

St. George is on track for its driest winter ever, and southwest Utah’s snowpack stands at record lows.

From Salt Lake City to Brigham City to Cedar City, average temperatures were up both day and night over the summer. And according to forecasts, the above-average heat may not be over yet.

How much rain? Salt Lake City, Spanish Fork, Provo and Lehi all recorded more rain on Monday and Tuesday than in a typical entire month of August.

St. George and other southern Utah hot spots experienced relentless heat in July. Scientists say it’s another sign of how climate change — fueled by greenhouse gas emissions — is impacting Utah.

The monsoon has fizzled so far this year in Utah. Even so, it’s “been a tale of two summers” where northern Utah has been drier than the southern end of the state.

Fortunately, leftover moisture from last year is still helping southwest Utah get by as it waits for this winter’s snowpack to pile up.

Winter snow in the Rockies provides the majority of the Colorado River's water supply. As negotiators work on long-term rules for sharing the river, a dry winter could add some urgency.