Median snowpack water equivalent surpasses 2022’s highest peak

Big early season snowfall on Birds Eye at Deer Valley Resort Photo: TownLift // Kevin Cody

UTAH— The 2022-2023 winter season continues to bring snow and rain across the state. Statewide, the median snowpack water equivalent is at 191%, surpassing the peak of 2022’s snowpack water amounts, and continues to fuel the reduction in extreme drought-rated areas.

As of January 5, the percentage of extreme-drought rated areas has dropped by nearly 9% in the previous week and nearly 50% over the past three months. Powder days might mean an increase in stoke level as locals head to the resorts, but they are even more important as the state continues to recover from multiple years of extreme drought.

To find out more about the state’s battle with drought and current levels, see the drought.gov website.

Statewide, we now sit at 191% of median snowpack water, 80% of our median peak with 83 days to go! Good news, but we need to keep the active weather coming. Fun facts, we have exceeded the 2022 statewide peak snowpack water amounts and now intersect with the 2010-11 winter! #utwx pic.twitter.com/ojgpNCz9GE

— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) January 11, 2023