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February Storms Lift Utah Snowpack, but Water Managers Warn of Ongoing Shortfall

Reservoir storage now serves as the safety net given forecasts for a warmer, drier spring.

Overview

  • Utah’s statewide snowpack sits near 65% of normal despite this week’s boost, leaving a sizable gap to typical levels.
  • Basin conditions vary sharply, with Duchesne near 83% of normal while Tooele‑Vernon, Dirty Devil and Lower Sevier remain below 50%.
  • The Climate Prediction Center points to slightly drier odds for central and southern Utah in March and favors warmer temperatures, with northern Utah at equal chances.
  • NRCS estimates a 30% chance of a record‑low peak against a 10% chance of a normal season, prompting calls for conservation and planning to lean on reservoirs that are about 67% full.
  • Across the Colorado River system, SWE rose to about 51% of normal in the Lower Basin and 65% in the Upper Basin, even as seven‑state talks passed a Feb. 14 deadline without a new operating deal.