Utah’s snowpack melting faster than normal

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s snowpack is melting off a lot faster than normal. Forecasters say it could have a big impact on our water supply and the possibility of drought. 

Right now, we have about 37% less water in the snowpack than we normally do in the first week of May.

National Weather Service Hydrometeorologist Nanette Hosenfeld said the warm, dry April we had is a big reason why. 

“We look to April to still hold on to some of that snowpack. When we start melting early, it really impacts the amount of water that flows into the reservoirs.”

Hosenfeld said that between last month and the warm, dry fall we had, we’re now likely going to lose anywhere from 30% to 40% of the snow water that would’ve ended up in our reservoirs to the dry ground.

The good news is our reservoir levels are still well above average, thanks to the last two winters, so our water supply isn’t really a concern this year.

However, National Weather Service Lead Meteorologist Christine Kruse said that if we don’t start to see more rain this spring, we could also see drought conditions worsen around the state.

“Right now it looks like the drought will at least persist, if not worsen, into the early summer,” Kruse said.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows large parts of the state in moderate to severe drought. Drought conditions in the state prompted Gov. Spencer Cox to declare a state of emergency in late April.

Adam Small is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio. He primarily reports on the Great Salt Lake and Natural Resources. Follow him on Facebook and X.  

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