No powder in the forecast as snowpack dips below median levels

Snowpack levels are dropping in Utah after a dry January and slow start to February. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — The National Weather Service (NWS) said on Tuesday that continued dry weather in Utah is “taking its toll on the snowpack, with snow water equivalents for several basins dipping below median for this time of year.”

The latest numbers:

Unfortunately, NWS isn’t forecasting any snow for Park City this week. The lows are in the 20s this week, with the high expected to reach the 40s come Sunday.

Powder Buoy has Feb. 15 on the radar, with the assumption that we can break through high pressure.

 

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Valley inversions are expected to return this week, with NWS officially recommending individuals in some areas wear N95 masks outdoors and stay inside as much as possible.

NWS Meteorologist Mike Seamon told the Salt Lake Tribune, “we’re in a dry period.”

“We’ve got a strong ridge of high pressure on the West Coast. It’s bringing in this northerly flow out of Canada, which is pretty dry air.”

He told the Tribune that late February through April, historically the wettest time of the year in the state, is “the key time for us to add to the water in the snowpack.”

Seaman acknowledged that ending up with an above-average snowpack is “not likely.”

TownLift provides a weather and snow report that is updated in real-time.