Weather
On March 9, Salt Lake City recorded a 71-degree day, making it the third-earliest 70-degree day in the city’s recorded history. This year’s hot temperatures came roughly three weeks ahead of schedule, with 2026 matching 1989 and 1972 as the years with the third-earliest 70-degree days, which fell on March 9.
The earliest recorded 70-degree day in Salt Lake City’s history falls on March 3, occurring in both 2022 and 1921. City temperature records date back 152 years to 1874.
The early 71-degree day accurately portrays how this winter went for Salt Lake City and for Utah as a whole. The 2025-2026 winter saw record-low snowpack totals, late ski resort openings, and persistent higher-than-normal temperatures. This year’s unusual weather pattern was in stark contrast to typical northern Utah winters, which are normally colder and snow-filled.
According to KSL, the state’s average temperature between December 1 and February 28 was 36.4 degrees, beating the previous record by 2.2 degrees set in 2014-2025. Meteorologists believe that climate change and the lack of an organized winter jet stream are to blame for the disappointing winter conditions.
Early warm weather and a disappointing winter are leaving many questioning what future Utah winters will look like. Researchers believe that climate change will continue to play a role in bizarre, uncharacteristic patterns. A 2021 study conducted by Utah State University found that each Utah ski resort is hotter than it was in the past.
As winter comes to what seems to be an early close in Utah, many will pack their winter gear away and wait patiently for the next snowfall. Despite being plagued by the uncertainty of the 2025-2026 season, Utah is a state that loves its winter, and hopefully, the next one will bring more powder.
