Will Utah’s snowpack be enough for a healthy spring runoff?

SALT LAKE CITY — Water managers are hoping for more snowfall before the spring runoff begins, as experts caution that not all of our mountain snowpack will reach the reservoirs.

National Weather Service Hydrologist Glen Merrill said this is due to the dry end of fall and drought conditions impacting much of the state.

The state hasn’t gotten nearly as much snow this year compared to the last two winters, but we’re actually only about 8% below normal for this time of year on average in our statewide snowpack.

In fact, all of northern Utah’s mountains are currently sitting above or near normal.

According to Merrill, forecasts predict the state will lose roughly 15 to 20% of our snow water to the dry soil.

“We are going to have net loss [of snowpack] which isn’t uncommon,” said Merrill.

Despite that, he said water supply will not be an issue anywhere in Utah this year, with our average reservoir level well above average.

But, forecasters said we need more snow over the next month to minimize the damage.

Related: Southern Utah hits record low snowpack

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