Utah’s snowpack is expected to reach its peak this month, marking the end of another successful winter.
The weekend storm brought the 48-hour snow totals to 15 inches at Park City Mountain and 3.5 inches in the Snyderville Basin, but state water officials anticipate warmer, drier conditions for the rest of April as the snowpack begins to melt in earnest. The snowpack was expected to reach its peak last week.
The statewide snow water equivalent, or how much water there would be if the snowpack melted, was 132% of normal at the start of the month compared to 200% this time last year. An abundance of wet weather throughout March added to the above-average conditions received earlier in the season.
The state snowpack hit a total of 18.6 inches on Tuesday compared to almost 30 inches in April 2023 — making it the first time in almost 20 years Utah has had significant winters back to back.
The total snow water equivalent for the last two years is 47 inches, almost equal to the three-year average of 48 inches, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources. The last time there were two consecutive winters with snow totals this far above normal was 2005 and 2006.
Utah received 156% of normal precipitation last month, increasing the water-year-to-date value by 6% from February.
All major basins throughout the state will arrive at peak with above-normal levels, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Weber-Ogden basin, which includes Summit County, was around 133% of normal as of April 1.
Statewide soil moisture was at 63%, which is 101% of normal this time of year, helping to ensure an effective spring runoff. Streamflow forecasts for April to July also show an increase in snowmelt runoff volume caused by the above-average snow accumulation, according to the Utah Water Supply Outlook Report.
Reservoir storage dropped about 4% from March as officials made room to accommodate the melting snowpack. The current statewide capacity is around 78%, and almost all reservoirs should be filled this summer with a few exceptions. It was around 54% last year.
The Rockport, Jordanelle and Echo reservoirs were each around 80% capacity as of Tuesday. The Smith and Morehouse Reservoir was the fourth lowest in the state at 57% full.
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake forecast sunny, clear skies for the next seven days with temperatures warming up across the state.
Daily temperatures in the Park City area could range between 50 and 60 degrees with lows in the upper 30s. There is a chance of rain and snow showers on Sunday and Monday. Accumulations are expected to be light.