TAKEAWAY
While the 2022-2023 winter was colder than average, it was not enough to break the trend of rising winter temperatures in Utah since 1948.
The combined effects of warming temperatures during both cold and hot seasons signify drying conditions and a shift in Utah’s climate.
Temperatures in Utah have trended upwards during cold seasons (January-March) and hot seasons (June-August) since 1948. While 2022- 2023 winter temperatures were colder than average for the season, they did not overturn this long-term warming trend.
Snowpack accumulates during cold seasons and melts with spring warming. Increasing temperatures during cold seasons (Figure 3.E.1) indicate more rain, less snow, and more snowmelt. Higher temperatures during hot seasons will likely increase agricultural, municipal, and industrial water use, which puts stress on the availability of water resources (Figure 3.E.2). Precipitation deficit is a key driver in soil water shortage3.E.1.
The combined effects of warming temperatures during both cold and hot seasons signify drying conditions and a shift in Utah’s climate. If the warming trend continues, Utah will have a drier and hotter future along with the entire southwestern United States3.E.2
References
- Affram, G., Zhang, W., Hipps, L., & Ratterman, C. (2023). ". Characterizing the development and drivers of 2021 Western US drought". Environmental Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acc95d
- Zhang, W. (2023). " The dry and hot American Southwest under the present and future climates. ".Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aosl.2023.100340