New snowfall helps Utah drought

This winter, Utah has received a lot of snow. 

So far, Beaver Mountain Ski Resort has received 155 inches, and Cherry Peak Resort has received 166 inches since the ski season began, according to their websites.  

The snowfall is also helping Utah with its current drought, bringing in the much-needed snowpack which will melt into our reservoirs this spring, according to Jordan Clayton, supervisor of the Snow Survey for Utah.  

“We’re going to be above normal in all of the basins of the state, which is fantastic,” Clayton said. 

Clayton went on to explain the snow, although some may hate the cold that comes with it, is a blessing for the state. 

“We’re already up to 133% of our normal snow water equivalent for the state,” Clayton said. 

The snow water equivalent is the depth of water that would cover the ground if the snow was in a liquid state.  

As of Jan. 8, Logan’s snow water equivalent stands at 157%, based on the median from 1991-2020, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.  

According to ABC4, Utah’s most recent drought began in 2019, with half the state declared in a severe drought. This jumped to 93% of the state in severe drought and 84% in extreme drought. The last update on the drought puts 31% of the state in extreme drought.   

According to droughtmonitor.unl.edu, Cache County is currently in a severe to exceptional drought.  

The drought severity and coverage index, or DSCI, is an experimental way to put all the drought statistics into one simple number. It ranges from 0, meaning abnormally dry or no drought, to 500, meaning exceptional drought.  

Cache County sits at 300 for the DSCI. 

The new snow also brings more chances of car crashes. According to the Utah Highway Patrol, there have been 133 crashes just on Jan. 2 alone, and 450 crashes from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1. 

According to KSL News, Sgt. Brian Peterson from Utah Highway Patrol asks drivers to: 

• Slow down.

• Increase your following distance.
   
• Put your phone down.
   
• Avoid cruise control.
   
• Avoid sudden braking.
   
• Remember your four-wheel drive vehicle does not have increased stopping power.

• Bridges and ramps get icy first.
   
• And buckle up.

There was also a winter weather advisory for Utah, according to the National Weather Service, which was in effect from Jan. 9 at 11a.m. to Jan. 11 at 5 p.m.  

However, snow doesn’t just have negative consequences. Ski resorts are greatly benefiting from the storms, and keeping skiers and snowboarders happy.  

-Jack.Johnson@usu.edu

Featured photo by Paige Johnson