INSTAGRAM

Utah’s resorts receive 1st snow of the season. What does it mean for this winter?

Sep 17, 2024, 1:14 PM

Snowbird's trams move through fresh snowfall at the resort Tuesday morning. Utah's first mountain s...

Snowbird's trams move through fresh snowfall at the resort Tuesday morning. Utah's first mountain snow of the season fell with a storm that passed through the state Tuesday morning (Snowbird Resort)

(Snowbird Resort)

LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON — Utah’s first snow of the season has indeed arrived.
Alta Ski Area’s webcams showed a healthy dusting of snow near the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, especially by Sugarloaf Peak, on Tuesday morning. Snowbird also posted a video of freshly fallen snow in the canyon, while Brighton Mountain Resort celebrated its first snow of the season as well, in nearby Big Cottonwood Canyon.

“Woot. Let’s hope the first layers go down solid,” wrote one ski enthusiast in response to social media posts about this first snow, summarizing most of the reaction from the skiing and snowboarding community.
KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson said the snow line ended up about where it was projected, impacting many mountain areas at 9,000 feet elevation or higher, including mountains in southern Utah, like Eagle Point Resort in Beaver.

When snow typically returns

This year’s first mountain snow fell slightly later into the new season than last year when the state’s mountains received a decent amount of snow from a cold Labor Day storm. However, it’s fairly par for the course, says KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson.
For instance, the first snow in Utah’s mountains two years ago came on Sept. 16.
Mountain communities like Alta typically receive about 2.7 inches of snow in September, based on National Weather Service data dating back to 2000. During that span, there were times it never snowed in September, but in several instances, at least a trace of snow fell in early to mid-September.
Utah’s high elevations once received a trace of snow as early as Aug. 10 in 2003, and, in 2006, Alta received 11 inches of snow from a Sept. 16 storm.
The National Weather Service has tracked Salt Lake City weather data since 1874. Nov. 8 is the average first snowfall date over that time, representing about the first time snow typically returns to the valleys.
But Tuesday also marks the 59th anniversary Alta received its earliest first snowfall on record. A little over 2 inches of snow fell within Utah’s capital from a storm on Sept. 17, 1965.

What does it mean for this winter?

An early first snowfall date doesn’t mean anything about what type of winter Utah will have.
“This does not have any correlation to what kind of snow season we’re looking at,” Johnson said. “Nonetheless, nice to see the snow this early.”
It’s still very unclear what type of winter Utah will have after the state ended up with back-to-back above-normal snowpack collections the past two winters.
The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction projects a La Niña oceanic pattern will return this winter, which doesn’t mean much in terms of Utah’s long-range forecast. La Niña generally produces wetter conditions in the Pacific Northwest and drier conditions in the Southwest, but Utah is typically caught in between with varying levels of precipitation success.
For example, its last La Niña winter produced a record-breaking 30-inch snowpack. The two years before that were also La Niña winters, where the state topped out at 12.1 and 12 inches of snow water equivalent, respectively — about 4 inches below the median statewide peak.
The center’s early season projections list most of Utah as having slightly greater odds for below-normal precipitation this winter, while northern Utah is listed as having “equal chances.” This means there’s no clear signal whether wetter, drier, or near-normal conditions will emerge between Dec. 1 of this year and Feb. 28, 2025.
It isn’t the agency’s final winter projection, though, which is typically expected by mid-November.
Another productive winter would be beneficial for Utah beyond the outdoor recreation opportunities for which the state is known. About 95% of the state’s water supply is tied to its snowpack collection and snowmelt processes.

KSL 5 TV Live

Instagram

A bulldog puppy in Midvale is getting some much-needed medical attention as he recovers from injuri...

Tamara Vaifanua

Looking Out For the Good: Local pet rescue caring for bulldog puppy as he recovers from injuries

A bulldog puppy in Midvale is getting some much-needed medical attention as he recovers from injuries caused by improper breeding.

7 days ago

FILE - Sarah Baus, left, of Charleston, S.C., and Tiffany Cianci, who says she is a "long-form educ...

Mark Sherman, Associated Press

Supreme Court upholds law banning TikTok if it’s not sold by its Chinese parent company

The Supreme Court has upheld the federal law banning TikTok beginning Sunday unless it’s sold by its China-based parent company, holding the risk to national security posed by its ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the U.S. A sale does not appear imminent.

20 days ago

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago, Thurs...

Associated Press

Judge sentences Donald Trump in hush money case but declines to impose any punishment

President-elect Donald Trump was formally sentenced Friday in his hush money case, but the judge declined to impose any punishment.

27 days ago

In a dash camera video, a car traveling through American Fork Canyon almost collides with another h...

Debbie Worthen

Caught on dashcam: Driver nearly causes deadly crash in American Fork Canyon, then zooms away

After a driver nearly caused a head-on collision on a canyon road, the car it left crashed in the snow sustained damage. The owners are calling on that person to come forward.

1 month ago

Security footage of South Jordan police officers confronting the armed suspect in a car before shot...

Brian Carlson

Fatal police shootout in South Jordan caught on camera

A home security camera captured an intense shootout Friday night between South Jordan police and a suspected car thief.

1 month ago

A semitruck driver was arrested on suspected DUI on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2024. (KSL TV)...

Carlysle Price

Police: Semitruck driver swerving on I-80 arrested on suspected DUI

A semitruck driver is facing charges for driving under the influence near Utah's West Desert Saturday.

2 months ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Utah’s resorts receive 1st snow of the season. What does it mean for this winter?