Utah records hottest summer on file while summer rains boost mountain basins
Utah's average temperature for June-August reached 73.7 °F, a new record, and the state received nearly double the precipitation of the previous summer.
The National Centers for Environmental one outlet reported that Utah’s meteorological summer (June-August) averaged 73.7 °F, surpassing the previous record by 0.7 °F. Precipitation totaled 2.98 inches, nearly twice last summer’s amount and ranking as the 57th wettest in the agency’s 132-year record. Jordan Clayton of the Natural Resources Conservation Service said the added rain, especially in the mountains, improved snowpack totals but did not compensate for the state’s record-low winter snowpack, which supplies most of Utah’s water.
Salt Lake City reached an all-time high of 109 °F in July, contributing to 20 days above 100 °F, and 18 counties set new heat records. Mountain basins, such as the Beaver River basin, received up to four inches above normal, causing flooding on the Cottonwood Fire scar, while most basins exceeded typical summer totals.
Why it matters
Record heat and rainfall affect Utah's water supply, agriculture and flood risk.
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