Salt Lake City, UT – Residents waking up early this morning may not have noticed it, but a rare form of winter precipitation officially ended Salt Lake City’s snowless streak today.
According to the National Weather Service Salt Lake City, 0.1 inches of graupel was recorded during the early morning hours at the NWS office, marking the first measurable snowfall of the season for the city. While minimal in accumulation, the event carries historical significance.
Meteorologists say this now ranks as the second-latest measurable snowfall on record for Salt Lake City. The record for the latest first snowfall still belongs to January 2, 1891, a mark that narrowly remains unbroken.
Graupel, sometimes mistaken for hail, forms when supercooled water droplets freeze onto snowflakes, creating small, soft pellets. Unlike hail, graupel is typically light, wet, and easily crushed, and it is officially measured as snowfall because it is a form of frozen precipitation.
The NWS emphasized that while many residents may not consider graupel “snow” in the traditional sense, it qualifies under official snowfall measurement standards and therefore ends the city’s extended snowless period.
No significant travel impacts were reported, and road conditions across Salt Lake County and the greater Wasatch Front remained largely unaffected. However, forecasters note that colder overnight temperatures and additional winter precipitation chances remain possible as the season progresses.
Residents interested in learning more about graupel and other winter weather phenomena can find educational resources through the National Weather Service at weather.gov.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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