Salt Lake City has recorded its warmest winter since record-keeping began in 1874, according to the National Weather Service. Meteorological winter—which includes December, January, and February—ended Saturday, and data released Sunday show the city averaged 40.7 degrees Fahrenheit over the three-month period. That is 7.6 degrees above normal, making the 2025-26 season the warmest winter in 150 years of records.
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The previous record was set in 2015, when the city averaged 38.5°F. Before that, the warmest winter on record was 1977-78, with an average of 38°F. Salt Lake City’s typical winter average temperature is about 33°F.
The unusually warm season coincided with a prolonged early- and mid-winter snow drought across Utah. The state saw its first significant storm cycle not arrive until well into February, after months of below-average snowfall. Before that storm, Utah recorded its lowest statewide snowpack since tracking began in 1980, according to state data referenced by KUTV. The dry stretch forced many of Utah’s ski resorts to lean heavily on snowmaking to maintain operations. An Olympic qualifying event was also moved out of the state due to inadequate natural snow coverage.
When heavier snowfall finally arrived, it fell on a weak and shallow snowpack, contributing to elevated avalanche danger. Several avalanche fatalities were reported in Utah over a span of days last week as forecasters warned of unstable conditions.
Despite the record-setting warmth, winter precipitation is not necessarily over. March is historically one of Utah’s wetter months. According to KUTV meteorologist Chase Thomason, March often ranks as the snowiest month for Utah’s mountain locations and is typically the fifth snowiest month for Salt Lake City. While the meteorological winter has ended, rain and snow remain possible across northern Utah through March and April, offering at least some opportunity to bolster mountain snowpack heading into spring.
