Weather
Utah Winter 2026-27: Historic Snowfall Records Reach 3 Feet
Salt Lake City, UT – Utah is no stranger to heavy mountain snowfall, but historical weather records reveal just how extreme winter conditions can become. One location recorded more than 3 feet of snow
By Cameron Hayes · 2026-10-21T13:16:02.132Z
Salt Lake City, UT – Utah is no stranger to heavy mountain snowfall, but historical weather records reveal just how extreme winter conditions can become. One location recorded more than 3 feet of snow in a single day, while several other communities have experienced snowfall totals exceeding 30 inches.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Environmental Information, Alta in Salt Lake County recorded 38 inches of snow on Dec. 2, 1982, the highest single day measurement in the supplied Utah county level snowfall records.
However, Utah's snowfall extremes extend far beyond the Wasatch Mountains, with significant historical measurements reported across southern, central and northern portions of the state.
Utah's Top 10 Historical One Day Snowfall Records The following are the 10 highest measurements from distinct dates in NOAA's supplied county level database. Multiple locations reporting snowfall on the same date are not counted separately.
38.0 inches — Alta, Salt Lake County: Dec. 2, 1982. 36.0 inches — Clear Creek, Carbon County: Dec. 28, 1964. 36.0 inches — Cedar Breaks Storage, Iron County: Oct. 10, 1960. 36.0 inches — Blanding, San Juan County: Dec. 23, 1909. 36.0 inches — Park City G.C., Summit County: March 7, 1897. 34.0 inches — Kanosh, Millard County: Feb. 9, 1953. 32.0 inches — Snowville, Box Elder County: Jan. 29, 1915. 30.0 inches — Ephraim Alpine Meadow, Sanpete County: April 20, 1920. 30.0 inches — Pineview Dam, Weber County: Jan. 20, 1955. 28.0 inches — Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield County: Dec. 26, 1936. Why Utah's Snowfall History Matters Utah's mountainous terrain creates favorable conditions for intense snowfall when moisture rich storms move across the region.
The Wasatch Range can experience especially heavy accumulation as air rises over mountain slopes, while lake effect snow from the Great Salt Lake can intensify snowfall in certain areas.
Major winter storms can disrupt Interstate 15, Interstate 80 and mountain routes, creating dangerous travel conditions and increasing avalanche concerns.
The historical records also demonstrate that extreme snowfall is not limited to midwinter. Significant one day totals have occurred during October, March and April.
What Could This Mean for Winter 2026 27? A warmer than average winter would not necessarily eliminate Utah's potential for major snowstorms.
El Niño can influence storm tracks and precipitation patterns across the western United States, but its effects vary by region and season.
Even during relatively mild winters, individual storm systems can produce substantial snowfall when moisture and cold temperatures align.
Historical records cannot predict whether Utah will experience another 30 inch snowfall during winter 2026 27.
For residents of Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Park City and communities throughout the state, these records demonstrate why winter preparedness remains important regardless of seasonal temperature outlooks.